Leadership learns to tackle mental health issues

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Commanders and first sergeants from across the 90th Missile Wing gathered Sept. 19 in the wing conference room for a yearly refresher course on how to effectively deal with mental health issues among Mighty Ninety Airmen.

Ninetieth Medical Group mental health professionals led the course, and they touched on themes, trends and ways to target issues to help create a healthier base population, as well as their roles and obligations in the process.

The main issues discussed were alcohol and drug abuse, family violence and suicide prevention, said Glenn Garcia, 90th MDG Outreach Program manager. Squadron and group leadership is skilled in accomplishing the wing's mission, but their expertise is not in dealing with mental health issues.

"When dealing with people, it's more of a grey area," Garcia said. "It's not black and white like the mission. People don't come with checklists."

The class was designed to familiarize leaders throughout the wing with dealing with some of the mental health issues on base so they will be able to help prevent problems from getting worse, he said. One way leaders can help alleviate problems on base is to be more involved with their Airmen. They can improve their connectedness with their Airmen in simple ways.

For instance, Garcia said asking "What did you do this weekend?" instead of "How was your weekend?" or "What is your plan to get home safely this weekend?" instead of "Do you have a plan to get home safely this weekend?" can lead to a more in-depth dialogues.

Another important thing for leaders to remember is they set the tone for how to deal with people, he said. When leaders are too busy to deal with their people, the outcomes can be negative.

Ultimately, the goal is to direct Airmen to any of the mental health professionals on base, such as the mental health clinic in the 90th MDG Medical Treatment Facility, the Family Advocacy Program and the Military Family Life Consultant, Garcia said.

Master Sgt. Markus Washington, 90th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, attended the course.

"People think if they go to mental health, their career is over," Washington said. "It's absolutely not true."

When base mental health professionals treat Airmen, they only let the Airmen's leaders know whether or not the Airmen are fit for duty, Washington said. They do not go into detail.

"The first thing we do is suggest they go talk to mental health," he said.

Washington said he is glad there are agencies on base to help those struggling with mental health issues.

The Air Force has more than 250 programs to help Airmen going through tough times, Garcia said.

"Make the people who work in these programs earn their pay," he said. "I'd love to be swamped every day coming into work. We can help and we want to help."

For more information about mental health resources, call 773-2998.