July 18, 2022 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline launches 9-8-8 The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline is launching a new quick-dial option nationwide starting July 16. Anyone located within the United States can call or text 9-8-8 any time of day, seven days a week to receive support for suicidal, mental health, and substance use crisis. The line will
July 14, 2022 19th MDG mental health clinic initiates group therapy program Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall, recently met with the Air Force Medical Service leaders to discuss the Department of the Air Force’s approach to prioritizing care and support through ongoing initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health care resources.
May 26, 2022 Suicide prevention and mental health resources provide help: You are not alone Life is full of ups and downs. But sometimes life events - financial strain, relationships, isolation, emotional or sexual abuse, stress, and misuse or abuse of alcohol or drugs - can lead to depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide for some. It’s important to remember that you are not alone.
Feb. 18, 2022 Air Force partners with NYU for mental health technician toolkit The Air Force is partnering with New York University to develop a toolkit for mental health technicians working with Airmen and Guardians outside of a traditional clinical setting.
Oct. 14, 2021 Academy prep school commander stays ‘Husky Strong’ in battle with cancer Melissa Youderian cried when she donated her long hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit for children suffering hair loss, after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.“Though it was a deliberate decision and I thought it would be uplifting to donate my hair before the treatment took it, I had tears
Aug. 23, 2021 Air Force mental health leaders discuss future of the field Mental health leaders across the Air Force met virtually for an annual conference, which started on August 9, to discuss military mental health care, telehealth, the impact of COVID-19, and embedded mental health support.
July 29, 2021 Airman overcomes series of challenges relying on superb resiliency It was the first night in a while that she’d slept so soundly. Unfortunately, it was the one night she wishes she hadn’t. Murphy’s Law continued a long streak of unfolding in Janelle’s life. One incident after another. It was enough to yank the cheer right out of the average person, but not her.
June 21, 2021 Resilient and fit despite COVID-19 On July 1, 2021, the Air Force will resume its physical fitness testing, following months of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Airmen of all ranks, ranging from new arrivals to those in the senior tier, have had to find different ways to maintain a healthy level of fitness
April 18, 2021 Avoiding burnout The COVID-19 pandemic may make you feel like you’re just waiting – life on hold – feeling frustrated that there’s no end in sight. Pandemic fatigue is a very real feeling of exhaustion as a result of COVID-19’s impact on our lives – from financial stress, to loneliness, to the fears of getting sick.
Feb. 11, 2021 Department of the Air Force leaders focus on resiliency Senior leaders are focused on building and growing resilience by establishing a task force called Operation Arc Care. This task force is currently reviewing resilience programs and overarching strategy using a phased approach which began in November.
Aug. 4, 2020 Coping with COVID: An Air Force Podcast In this episode of An Air Force Podcast, we look into how the renewed focus on Squadrons has prepared and supported Airmen and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 9, 2020 Embedded mental health essential during pandemic (Part 2) Air Force mental health teams embedded in operational squadrons are helping Airmen deal with stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic to sustain essential operations during the crisis.
May 28, 2020 Embedded mental health essential during pandemic (Part 1) Embedded Air Force mental health professionals play a critical role in keeping Airmen mission ready, and during the COVID-19 pandemic they are even more important to maintaining readiness.
March 24, 2020 The Air Force is protecting Airmen while protecting the nation How do you stand “shoulder to shoulder” in a time of COVID-19? For the United States Air and Space Forces, and indeed the entire United States military, this is no small question. It is so pressing, in fact, that the Air Force’s medical staff, in collaboration with experts nationwide, have been
Nov. 18, 2019 Long Ranger Resilience: Col. Dennis Britten As part of an on-going series of features and interviews on resiliency, we highlight a Reserve Citizen Airman of the 307th Bomb Wing who has overcome obstacles to improve themselves and the Air Force. This month, we feature Col. Dennis Britten, 307th Medical Squadron commander whose work ethic and
Oct. 4, 2019 Schriever breast cancer survivor stresses prevention October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international campaign organized to increase awareness of the disease, educate people about the importance of early screening, and offer support to those affected. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Ruíz, 21st Medical Squadron technician, was diagnosed with
Sept. 26, 2019 BHOP: The one-stop shop There’s a worldwide epidemic haunting our U.S. Air Force Airmen, causing significant grief and hardship. In the recent video, Wright urges leaders at all levels to provide an environment for Airmen to voice their concerns, listen intently to those concerns and then lead them in direction toward the
Sept. 19, 2019 Overcoming domestic violence: A story of resilience As a little boy, the Airman watched, terrified, as his father shoved his mother against a wall, screaming in her face. The angry shouts became muffled as he cupped his tiny hands around his ears in an attempt to escape the horror.But, for the longest time, he could not escape it.
Sept. 6, 2019 Keeping the pack strong: Your mental health teams One in five adults in the United States, roughly 46.6 million, experience mental illness in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The Air Force’s Comprehensive Airman Fitness pillars are key to ensuring Airmen are taking care of each other while maintaining balance in
Sept. 4, 2019 Peterson Airmen save life In the beginning of August, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein ordered all wings to stand down for a day and focus on resiliency and suicide prevention due to the alarming increase of suicide rates in the U.S. Air Force in 2019.