News

Good mental health critical to readiness
November 20, 2017 — 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 issues get better quickly without any negative career impact... MORE

Suicide prevention month: stopping suicide is everyone’s battle
September 11, 2017 — 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 person to suicide is a tragedy, and that is why... MORE

New annual Mental Health Assessment requirement begins July 31
July 19, 2017 — 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 issues are a serious problem for U.S. Armed Forces... MORE

New annual Mental Health Assessment requirement began July 31, 2017. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Steve Thompson)

PTSD doesn’t have to be fought alone
June 27, 2017 — 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 military, non-combat related incidents such as assaults,... MORE

An Airman walks into Joint Base Charleston’s mental health clinic on post-traumatic stress awareness day June 27, 2017. Although PTSD may be associated with combat and the military, non-combat related incidents such as assaults, natural disasters, abuse and accidents can also cause the onset of the disorder. Starting in 2010, Congress named June 27 PTSD Awareness Day. In 2014, the Senate designated the full month of June for National PTSD Awareness to promote effective treatment of the disorder throughout the year.

PTSD Awareness leads to positive treatment
June 25, 2016 — Post-traumatic Stress Disorder can be debilitating in some patients, but thanks to advancements in research and the continued training of mental health providers, treatments are getting better all the time.Maj. Joel Foster, Chief of Air Force Deployment Mental Health, said treating PTSD has improved dramatically in the last 20 years.“Twenty years... MORE

If you, or someone you know, have been through a traumatic event, seek out a mental health provider and request a screening. PTSD does not usually go away on its own and the earlier you seek help the sooner you can start feeling better and return to the life you want to lead. (AF Graphic)

Coping with stress through healthy thinking
June 13, 2016 — Stress. Even mention of the word can increase anxiety for some. Everyone deals with stress differently, but how you cope with daily stressors can have great impacts on your quality of life and overall health.Stress is actually the body’s response to any demand, including change. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are at... MORE

Coping With Stress Through Healthy Thinking (AF Graphic)

Air Force increases access to behavioral health care
June 6, 2016 — Nearly half of people with a treatable behavioral health disorder do not seek help from behavioral health professionals, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, 80 percent of this population does visit a primary care manager at least once a year. The Air Force Behavioral Health Optimization Program seeks to bridge... MORE

The Behavioral Health Optimization Program, or BHOP, integrates behavioral health personnel into primary care clinics, to provide “the right care, at the right time, in the right place.” Beneficiaries with behavioral health concerns can seek care directly through their primary care manager.