Mental health clinic works to help Airmen, families Published Aug. 23, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders Joint Base Elmendof-Richardson Public Affairs JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AFNS) -- Members of the 673rd Medical Group Mental Health Flight here have been working hard to meet the mental healthcare needs of military members and their families. The military life can be a stressful one, said Maj. Alexsa Billups, a member of the 673rd MDG. "It's up to the individual people to come to mental health for help," Major Billups said. "Unfortunately, most people think they can manage their stress on their own and won't come to us for the help they need until they find themselves facing greater life consequences, such as divorce or disciplinary action." The Mental Health flight can help anyone who is a TRICARE beneficiary, so not only can active-duty military members come to them for help, but their families can too. "Our job is to provide services for all mental health issues," Major Billups said. There are many different elements to the Mental Health flight. Programs include: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Children and Youth, Drug Demand Reduction Program, Family Advocacy, the Mental Health Clinic, New Parent Support Program, Outreach Education Element, Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination and the Traumatic Brain Injury clinic, which is the only one in the Air Force. Many military members say they believe Mental Health has a negative connotation, but according to Major Billups, once people receive help they think differently. "People are afraid of mental health (counseling) for many reasons, but it's their behavior that causes the negative impact" Major Billups said. "If someone is referred under a commander directed evaluation, we have to determine whether he or she is fit for duty and some individuals require a medical evaluation board, which is done in the best interest of the servicemember to determine eligibility for a medical retirement and continued medical benefits." Researchers conducted a study roughly eight years ago where 1,200 Airmen were asked about their mental health experience and more than 90 percent reported no career-impacting recommendations, Major Billups said. Some military members and their families may be overburdened and need help and not even realize it, the Major said. "Coming to Mental Health is no different than someone going to a cardiologist for heart-related issues or the dentist for a cavity," said Tech. Sgt. Billy Watkins, Mental Health Outreach Element NCO in charge. "We are the people that help others with their emotional struggles," Getting the help to people that need it doesn't necessarily mean they have to go to the Mental Health Clinic in the hospital. "We work with outside agencies like chaplains, the Military Family Readiness Center, the HAWC (Health and Wellness Center), Military OneSource and the military family life consultants," Major Billups said. "We all sit at the Integrated Delivery System meeting monthly and talk about the needs of the military community and come up with activities, and programs to meet those needs. The main thing is making sure that people get the help they need. Military members all go through briefings before and after deployments to ensure they get help. "Mental health (programs are) great because they have the professionals that are able to help us with the most important asset the Air Force has; our people and their families," said Master Sgt. Timothy Grimes, the Maintenance Operations Squadron first sergeant. "One of the best things the mental health flight offers is a class that teaches supervisors to help military members on the front lines deal with the stress they're encountering daily." Suicide prevention is one of the main topics with 673rd counselors. "Suicide prevention teaches people that there are signs and symptoms to watch out for and what steps to take should they, or someone they know, experience those symptoms," said Master Sgt. Nathaniel Perry, flight chief of mental health. "Just like cancer or diabetes, the faster you catch the symptoms and treat them, the better the chance of recovery. Suicide prevention on a regular basis has the potential to put people on auto pilot when faced with this type of situation. Just like (self aid buddy care) in a war zone, we need to know how to react and be proactive in taking care of our wingmen. It saves lives," "Military members who are uneasy about going to Mental Health should visit www.realwarriors.net," Major Billups said. "It's an amazing site that has videos of real warriors telling their stories of what they were going through and how they got help; mostly warriors who are still wearing their uniform despite seeking help." Military members can also call the suicide prevention hotline at 800-273-8255.