May 15, 2018 True North program helps Airmen The newly opened Whiteman Welcome Center serves as a one-stop shop for in-processing appointments, including administrative, financial and medical needs. Freestrom and other new arrivals receive a list required appointments from the center’s staff.
May 15, 2018 Check your ego at the door, be your own advocate Master Sgt. James Stalnaker always thought going to mental health was a deal breaker for your career; that mental issues make you a weaker person. It took encountering struggles of his own to change those views.
May 11, 2018 Mental Health trailblazes new IOP in ACC Moody Air Force Base’s Mental Health Flight refocused its treatment strategy, Feb. 5, by instituting a new intensive outpatient program (IOP) that gives Airmen the help they need from Airmen like themselves.
April 23, 2018 Ready, set, focus: Finding calm in a storm through the power of breathing While circling over foreign seas in bad weather one night, Air Force Maj. William MacVittie and his co-pilot considered whether to return to base or continue on their mission. Fuel was dwindling and the chatter remained constant from the radio. MacVittie took deep breaths; the ability to focus
April 2, 2018 Mental health team provides care with Airmen in mind Life can be stressful.In addition to everyday life, dealing with frequent temporary duty trips, ever-lurking deployments and permanent reassignments from one end of the globe to the next can be both physically and mentally taxing for service members.Often separated from family and social support
Feb. 26, 2018 Mental health flight trains brains Whether patients are coming in for help while going through difficult times, feeling down or thinking of suicide, the mental health flight is always ready to help.
Nov. 20, 2017 Good mental health critical to readiness Mental health is a critical part of every Airman’s medical readiness. Although many service members worry that seeking mental health care will negatively effect their career, the opposite is usually true. With early identification and the right treatment by a medical professional, most mental health
Sept. 29, 2017 Air Force psychologist considers social media’s role in suicide prevention Social media connects us to more people than ever before, but these contacts may not be the type that help build resiliency. Strong interpersonal connections play a critical role in suicide prevention. Used correctly, social media can be an important tool in the suicide prevention toolbox for
Sept. 28, 2017 Be there, be aware: Help prevent suicide When we focus on our health, it’s easy to pay attention to physical health versus mental well-being. Ignoring mental health concerns like anxiety and depression can lead to worsening symptoms and more serious issues. For some people, these issues may include an increased risk of suicide.
Sept. 21, 2017 Suicide Prevention Month raises awareness, promotes understanding Throughout September, organizations across the United States make efforts to raise awareness of a mental health issue affecting many demographics.
Sept. 18, 2017 Airman overcomes suicidal thoughts, strives to help others Being part of the Air Force is not an easy task. Airmen are charged with supporting and defending the U.S. from all enemies, foreign and domestic. As a result, the military life has many stressors and responsibilities. Deployments, financial strains, intensive training, long work days and adapting
Sept. 16, 2017 Resources and resiliency help children of military parents turn away from suicidal thoughts Like many teenagers starting high school, Edward was having trouble fitting in. The child of military parents who traveled around the world, Edward, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, found himself in a new, civilian school where he was one of few “military brats.” He was admittedly
Sept. 12, 2017 Healthy Aging Awareness Month: Improving the health of older adults Health plays a huge part in how we experience life, and determining current health situations can help lead to a longer and happier life. But what about healthy aging?
Aug. 31, 2017 Suicide prevention month: Stopping suicide is everyone’s battle September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time for Americans to build awareness and help understand suicide in our culture. More than 40,000 Americans lose their life due to suicide each year and research shows that rates in the military and the general population are very close. The loss of any one
July 21, 2017 TRICARE Expands Treatment Options for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders TRICARE expanded mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, adding intensive outpatient programs and expanding options for opioid treatment. In addition to other improvements, this expansion improves access to care and increases opportunities for mental health and SUD treatment. It
July 19, 2017 New annual Mental Health Assessment requirements Starting July 31, 2017, Airmen undergoing their annual Periodic Health Assessment may notice something new. A Mental Health Assessment will now be part of every annual PHA, to help ensure that Airmen suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues are referred to the necessary care. Mental health
June 29, 2017 Healing from invisible wounds: The other side of the story Chanda D’Angelo was in a frenzy; she quickly washed all the clothes in her home, zoomed the vacuum across every floor, wiped down every surface, cleaned out the refrigerator and stove and scrubbed the windows and mirrors until they were spotless. Exhausted, she had just enough time to get her hair
June 28, 2017 PTSD doesn’t have to be fought alone Post-traumatic stress disorder can be the result of someone experiencing an event that creates a heightened sense of terror or helplessness. PTSD can cause debilitating anxiety and fear throughout the remainder of the affected person’s life. Although PTSD may be associated with combat and the
June 22, 2017 PTSD treatment confronts the trauma behind the disorder Post-traumatic stress disorder is considered one of the “signature wounds” of the current conflicts in the Middle East. But many people may not know that there are highly effective treatments for this invisible wound being deployed at Air Force hospitals and clinics today. It’s normal to feel
June 21, 2017 Connection saves lives: be there to help prevent suicide You can make a difference for someone struggling with suicidal thoughts with as little as eye contact and a friendly smile, an arm around the shoulder, or a kind word at the right time. Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide, a key theme of the Department of Defense’s #BeThere Campaign,