Frequently Asked Questions
Tend VR-MBCT for Tees Esk and Wear Valleys North Yorkshire Talking Therapies service.
These FAQs will be updated regularly, so if you have a question that isn’t answered here then please ask because the likelihood is that others are wanting to know the answers too! For further information and any other questions please email support@tend-vr.com.
​
1. The headset, the controllers and the VR programme
Are there reminders of how to do things when I’m in VR?
Yes, there will be notes on the screen to remind you of how to move and interact and so on
​
Do I have to hold the hand controllers all the time?
You can certainly rest the controllers on your lap, however, if you put the controllers down, you will need to pick them up again to move or interact with Tend
Can I pause during a session?
Yes, please feel free to pause at any point. You can press B on the right-hand controller and take the headset off; after 10 minutes you will be asked to re-enter your PIN to continue
How do I move around the VR environment?
• Using the hand controller, push and hold either thumb-stick forward
• Point to where you want to go and then release to move
• You can only move in straight lines, so use the thumb-stick to turn if you need to
How far can I move in one jump?
You can move to wherever you point the beam from the hand controller as long as the beam is green and the arrow in the circle appears on the ground. Experiment and see!
How do I turn around in the VR environment?
Push either thumb-stick left or right and release
How do I pick things up?
• Pull the main trigger to activate the laser
• Point the laser at the object until the laser turns blue
• Pull the grip trigger to pick the item up
How do I adjust the headset volume?
There is an overall volume control on the headset below your right eye
Can I adjust different components of the headset sound, eg voice and music?
Yes, you can do this before a session:
• From the main menu select Settings then use the mixer to change the level of different sounds
• You can also access this at any time during a session via the pause menu (press B on the right-hand controller to access this menu)
How do I light the candles or the fireplace?
• Squeeze either main trigger to activate the laser
• Aim the laser at the candle or fireplace and the beam will turn green
• Squeeze the trigger to light the candle or the fire
• Do the same steps to turn them off again
How do I turn off the pulsing voice animator above the whiteboards?
• Squeeze either main trigger to activate the laser
• Aim the laser at the animator and the beam will turn green
• Squeeze the trigger to turn off the movement of the animator (a circle will remain so you can reactivate it if you want to)
• Do the same steps to turn it back on again
Note that the choice you make in any session will apply to any other sessions you do
How do I use the breath ball?
• Squeeze any of the triggers (the main or grip trigger on the left-hand or right-hand controller) to inflate the breath ball
• Let go of the trigger to deflate the breath ball
How do I ‘sit down’ in VR?
The voice over generally mentions pressing A (on the right-hand controller) to sit down, but you can also use X on the left-hand controller
Why do I need to virtually sit down in the VR environment?
When you press the A or the X button to “sit down” in VR, that is the prompt for the voice over to continue
What happens if I don’t sit down when asked to?
If you don’t press the A or the X button to “sit down”, after a period of time, the voice over will continue anyway
What happens if I don’t move to where I have been asked to go?
For some of the sections, you will miss visual content, but you will not miss any of
the voice over
Do I have to stand up to move in VR if I’ve been sitting down?
No, resuming movement with the thumb-stick also initiates the action of standing up
Can I explore the VR environment?
Absolutely, feel free to wander around the environment during your session
What happens if I don’t use the headset for a while?
• Nothing! It is fine to not use it for a while, all your progress will be saved.
• Ensure you remember your memorable word and date, and you can log back in when you are ready.
​
2. About the course
Note that most of the information about the course can be found in the videos and in the notes above. There are a few additional questions we’ve captured here but if there are further questions that you feel have not been answered then don’t hesitate to tell us.
Is the course identical to the group version of MBCT?
The VR course covers all of the same skills as the group version, but it has been adapted so that it does not require practitioner input and so that it fits the VR environment (and vice versa). It is, therefore, different from group-based delivery.
Do I have to complete the whole course whether I want to or not?
• No, it is entirely up to you whether or not you complete the course
• You can withdraw at any stage and though we would appreciate some insights
into your reasons for not completing the course you are not obliged to tell us
Who do I talk to if something goes wrong?
Your PWP or use the contact details at the top of your appointment letter
​
3. About Tend
What is Tend?
Have a look at Tend’s website for further information about what Tend does and how they do it: https://www.tendmentalhealth.com/
What is Tend aiming to achieve?
Tend aims to create virtual, therapeutic worlds that will enable people to live more fulfilled lives, addressing the global mental health crisis.
I want to know more about the power of MBCT
You can look at a quick overview on Tend’s website here:
https://www.tendmentalhealth.com/technology or the patient video has some brief information. Your PWP will have further information, so feel free to ask them.
What about the Tend team – who are they?
• The team is a group of people passionate about improving mental health across the globe.
• The team focus on the potential of technology, particularly virtual reality, because we believe it can increase accessibility, improve reach, extend scalability and enable engagement of people with depression, anxiety and possibly other mental health issues.
• Each member of the team brings their own expertise –developers, coders, clinicians, researchers, clinical and research advisers, operations and finance leaders, a CEO and founders
• The vast majority of team members are not only experts in their field but also have
lived experience of mental health issues, and many are neurodiverse.
How is Tend funded?
Tend is funded by a combination of commissioned NHS services, research grants,
private funding and business-to-business as well as business-to-clients
commissions.