New program helps address mental illness without stigma Published July 31, 2013 By Senior Airman Chelsea Smith 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST -- Initiatives to address the rising concerns surrounding mental health are currently underway through a new, tentatively titled resiliency enhancement program, set to provide support and preventative care to reservists who are susceptible to or suffering from mental health issues. 514th Aeromedical Staging Squadron mental health nurses will be available to offer generalized information covering topics such as combat stress, depression and suicide prevention, said Capt. Kevin Hellerud, mental health nurse with the squadron. This information will be delivered through brochures, lectures, quarterly commander's calls and one-on-one sessions, Hellerud said. "As reservists, we can get very stressed out by our civilian and military careers," said Hellerud. "If we're not careful, we can fall by the way side. To keep our Airmen from falling away, we must provide them the access to treatment that they may need." Previously, the 87th Medical Group's mental health clinic initiated the program by offering four general "off-the-record" sessions to members battling stress related to military or home life. However, an elevated need to procure a licensed counselor - such as a social worker, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist, transitioned the program to the group's family practice office. The move offered facilitators the flexibility to provide more specialized assistance and maintain an internal office record, avoiding any changes to official medical records, said Hellerud. An expansion effort to continue the successes of the active-duty program prompted reservists to formulate a similar outreach campaign through open access to mental health nurses and print materials, though reservists currently will not have access to licensed counselors during drill weekends, said Hellerud. However, the office is open to suggestions to better the program, even calling for a more welcoming title to lessen the intimidation factor, said Capt. Joseph Lipinski, mental health nurse with the squadron. As studies show there is an ever-growing need to take care of Airmen's mental health, Hellerud and Lipinski said they are aware of obstructions to reaching members who may be apprehensive about seeking help. Because topics surrounding such issues are sensitive and often stigmatized, nurses have a responsibility to ensure a level of confidentiality so that Airmen are no repelled from seeking the help they need, said Lipinski. "Just like chaplains have a responsibility to the Airmen that come to see them, so do we have a responsibility to Airmen and their families who have the courage to come and speak with us," Lipinski said. "Because of the alarming occurrences of post traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide, we must overcome any interfering forces to deal with our service members on an emotional and mental level." A lack of comprehensive mental health treatment can affect the human component of the Air Force's well-oiled machine. With current rehabilitation rates of less than about 50 percent, a revamped approach is imperative to ensure mission readiness and the well-being of service members and their families, said Lipinski. In order to spread awareness and encourage active involvement in combating these issues, Hellerud and Lipinski suggest practicing good "wingmanship" by intervening when necessary and communicating about the program through word-of-mouth. With successful programs already launched by some active duty units, plans to eventually launch programs across all Air Force commands, and other branches of the military, are in discussions. Army Reserve units here have already requested the pair to conduct classes to increase Soldier's awareness of these issues as well, said Lipinski. "The mission of the U. S. Air Force is to fly, flight, win -- in air, space, and cyberspace," said Lipinski. "If our Airmen are not at 100 percent, we truly do hinder that mission." For more information on resiliency enhancement programs, please contact Capt. Kevin Hellerud at (609) 754-5640.