Hi, Coughran Mayo here, in charge of the operations of Preferred Family Healthcare in Second Life. In RL, PFH is a private, not-for-profit organization providing prevention and treatment for mental health concerns, and specializing in Substance Use Disorders and related issues.

In Second Life, we are exploring the potential to use the metaverse as a cost-effective intervention tool. Substance Use Disorders rarely occur suddenly or spontaneously, most take years to develop - or at least months, in the case of young people in particular.

We hope that by helping people understand that at all stages of this problem, information PLUS action can be effective in halting a progression that can be ultimately fatal. The social nature of virtual worlds, the relatively high level of anonimity, and the ability to provide multi-media approaches to information sharing holds great promise for all lifestyle related health conditions, including and perhaps especially Substance Use Disorders.

Please visit our clinical/information sites in SL at Plush Non-Profit Commons, Commonwealth Island, and HealthInfo Island to see our developing project. And be sure to visit our newest location in Tawny, where we are creating a gallery to showcase the awesome art created by youthful clients who are participation in our ARTC (Achieving Recovery Through Creativity) project.

You can reach me in world, usually in the evenings (SL time), leave me an IM, drop a notecard in the box at NonProfit Commons or Commonwealth, or email me Coughran.Mayo@yahoo.com.