MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – More than 700,000 people die by suicide every year globally according to the World Health Organization, 50% having no prior mental illness. A new study launched at UW-Madison is looking to improve well-being and prevent suicide.

The study will combine meditation and neurostimulation in an attempt to improve people’s well-being. The multi-million-dollar project is being funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Project manager, Greg Witkop, says their organization is committed to supporting veterans and their families. “Witkop / The Wisconsin team was chosen primarily because of this idea around preventing this from occurring, helping people’s giving their… really the brains, the capacity to regulate emotions come up with different alternatives and prevent this.”

The study is still in the preliminary phases and is expected to launch at the beginning of next year.