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  • Mental health providers rely on leadership engagement to provide the necessary support warfighters require to remain ready and resilient throughout their deployment. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Josh Mahler)

    Mental health providers, leadership partner for deployment resiliency, readiness

    Deployed mental health providers work closely with leadership to help maintain warfighter resiliency and readiness. Service members are away from their usual support systems during deployment, and because the environment and stress puts them in unusual situations, they require innovative and flexible forms of mental health care.
  • While service members are medically ready to deploy, both physically and mentally, the rigors of deployment can take a toll. Mental health providers in deployed settings play a vital role in providing the necessary support to ensure the health of the warfighter and the mission. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Josh Mahler)

    Deploying mental health care downrange

    Deployed mental health providers play a vital role in delivering medical care downrange, ensuring the health of the warfighter and the mission. Even though service members who deploy are medically ready, both physically and mentally, the rigors of deployment can take a toll.
  • Lt. Col. Craig Morash, 74th Fighter Squadron commander, prepares to hug his children after returning from a deployment, Jan. 26, 2018, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The well-being of children is paramount to Airmen readiness for deployment. While most children are resilient and can handle the changes that come when a parent deploys, some children face challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Eugene Oliver)

    Resilient kids, ready Airmen

    One thing Airmen worry about when they deploy is the well-being of their family, especially children who may have a hard time coping with the challenges that come with a parent’s deployment. The impact of deployment on children is a key component of Airmen readiness. Knowing their family is well helps Airmen focus on the mission.
  • The symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can often be debilitating, significantly affecting a patient’s quality of life. Air Force mental health professionals have successfully treated many Airmen with the use of prolonged exposure therapy. Through this collaborative therapy, the patient is safely and gradually exposed to trauma-related memories and situations that have been avoided. The eventual goal is to alter the patient’s relationship with and reaction to the traumatic event so it no longer affects their quality of life and ability to do their job. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Josh Mahler)

    A peek behind the curtain: Prolonged exposure therapy for PTSD

    Post-traumatic stress disorder can be debilitating, but there are therapies that can reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and help Airmen return to duty. One of the most effective therapies, practiced by many Air Force mental health professionals, is prolonged exposure therapy.
  • Many Airman are unaware what the initial meeting with a mental health provider looks like when they seek PTSD treatment. The goal of the first meeting is to make the patient feel comfortable and to be as transparent as possible about what is going on and what treatment options the patient has. As a result, the patient and mental health provider will more likely have a collaborative and trusting interaction, making PTSD treatment more successful. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Josh Mahler)

    A peek behind the curtain: The first step of PTSD care

    Perhaps the most difficult part of seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder is making that first appointment, since Airmen are often unsure of what to expect. Not knowing what to expect from mental health providers can get in the way of effective PTSD treatment.
  • Those that suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are consistently trying to regain some sense of the normalcy they had before events that caused pieces of themselves to go missing. Misconceptions and stigmas surrounding PTSD get in the way of successful recovery and the ability to return to duty. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Master Sgt. William Vance)

    A peek behind the curtain: PTSD barriers and stigmas

    Effective treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder is possible, but many Airmen falsely think seeking medical help for PTSD will hurt their career and will not help them get better. These stigmas and misconceptions create perceived barriers, preventing Airmen from seeking care. Delaying treatment can cause the anxiety and fear following a traumatic event to affect an Airman’s readiness.
  • Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Garrison, 28th Medical Operations Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of the mental health clinic, separates blocks for a team building exercise with the human performance team at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., May 9, 2018. The chapel and mental health clinic went out in human performance teams to connect with Airmen and provide information on the different ways to improve their mental resiliency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicolas Z. Erwin)

    Breaking down the image: Mental health

    Life in the military can be stressful for anyone from a pipeline Airman to a general officer. Fortunately, the 28th Medical Group Mental Health Clinic provides services for Airmen in need.
  • Capt. Daniel Gibson, 92nd Medical Operation Squadron psychologist, goes over the Nexxus Biotrace with Staff Sgt. Donald Durst, 92nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron aerospace medical technician, May 4, 2018 at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. The program allows patients to see how their body is responding to both physical and mental stress. The patient is able to visualize what his or her body is doing under stress and see how it differs when in a relaxed state. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha Krolikowski)

    A day in the life: Mental health supports Airmen, readiness

    As with any Air Force healthcare provider, Capt. Daniel Gibson, a clinical psychologist with the 92nd medical group, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, relies on a collaborative, patient-centered approach to care.The mental health clinic at Fairchild Air Force Base uses a collaborative approach to ensure the best patient care.
  • U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Helmich, a finance technician assigned to the 509th Comptroller Squadron, in-processes Lt. Col. Rachel Freestrom, the 509th Communications Squadron incoming commander, at the Whiteman Welcome Center at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., May 7, 2018. The center, which is part of the Task Force True North resiliency program, acts as the one-stop shop for in-processing newcomers to the base. Active duty members and government civilian employees are being surveyed through May 18 about behavioral health within their units and families in an effort to enhance resources available to them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

    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.

  • 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.
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