News

Sept. 29, 2023
DOD announces new actions to prevent suicide in the military

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin released a memo directing urgent actions to address suicide in the military community.
July 12, 2022
9-8-8: a new lifeline for mental health care

In 2020, Congress designated a new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s network, paring down a 10-digit number (800-273-8255) to simply three, similar to the emergency dialing code, 911.
Nov. 28, 2018
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
Nov. 26, 2018
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.
June 26, 2018
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.
June 20, 2018
A peak 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
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 19, 2017
New annual Mental Health Assessment requirement begins July 31

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 28, 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 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