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Health is more than physical

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mikayla Gomez
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

Behavioral health—it may not be exactly what you think it is. Tucked away inside the F.E. Warren Medical Clinic is a gem in which everyone can benefit.

Dr. Earl Faulkner, 90th Medical Group integrated behavioral health consultant, is the psychologist in charge of the Behavioral Health Optimization Program. BHOP is a solution-focused program that Airmen in all career fields and their families can take advantage of. It is completely separate from the Mental Health Clinic, and offers services similar to life-coaching.

While the Mental Health Clinic deals with more diagnostic and serious issues like major depression and chronic anxiety, BHOP educates people before they sink deeper into issues to help them before they potentially worsen.

“The role of BHOP is to help provide the best integrated care plan possible,” said Faulkner. “Integrated care is really an extension of the primary care managers here, and I’m part of their team.”

Faulkner said there are countless factors that originate in the brain but have physical effects on the body. He explained that he works with the PCMs in areas such as physical health, emotional wellbeing, habits, and behaviors. It all comes together to create good, integrated healthcare, which is why the BHOP model was built.

To explain the concept of integrated care further, let’s say an Airman visits her PCM for trouble sleeping. Her doctor may prescribe medication, but may also want to treat the root cause of the issue, which they suspect is behavioral. The PCM may walk her over to Faulkner’s office, where he would help her identify possible causes in her life and map out ways to mitigate them. This approach could eliminate the cause of the sleep issue, instead of only treating it with medication.

“If the results of a sleep study rule out a physical health issue, I would see if there is a habit or behavior that is preventing someone from sleeping well,” Faulkner said. “I would then help them to establish healthy sleep behaviors. A lot of missileers have disrupted sleep cycles, so I develop routines that may help them sleep better.”

According to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Stephen Ross, Faulkner is very approachable and non-judgmental.

“It’s kind of like life coaching in a way,” said Ross. “He’s taking what a person is struggling with and then coming up with a solution-focused plan to help manage their environment more effectively.”

BHOP can help with just about anything, including depression, mood, and significant loss, to name a few. Assistance is also offered for lifestyle changes, improving physical health, major life events, tobacco cessation, ADHD symptom tracking, maintaining healthy relationships, and so much more.

Although Faulkner does not treat chronic, persistent mental illness, he often works as a bridge to mental healthcare for those who need it.

“Sometimes it takes a while to get into a specialty mental health program,” Faulkner said. “I can work with those folks with a solution-focused approach to help during that time until they get into a program elsewhere that works for them.”

Whatever the need may be, Maj. Lisa Hoyt, 90th Medical Group Mental Health flight commander, would like Airmen to know that they don’t have to start with Mental Health.

“A lot of people will show up to their physician and let them know about some challenges they’re having, but they’re still apprehensive about coming to Mental Health,” Hoyt said. “Unfortunately, there’s still this stigma and concern about an impact on their career. BHOP is really our front line—Faulkner can probably address most initial concerns and get them what they need without having to involve mental health.”

Ross understands the stigmas and why someone might be hesitant to try BHOP. However, this should not prevent anyone from trying it out.

“It’s just another aspect of overall wellbeing. We’re not just physical beings—we’re psychological, emotional, physical beings. So it’s important to treat body, mind, and spirit,” Ross said. “There is no stigma in walking across the hall and talking to someone directly connected to family medicine. We’re human; we experience things. We have emotions, hopes, fears, dreams, anxieties, sadness—all of it.”

If someone would like to give BHOP a try, the easiest way to make an appointment is to visit Dr. Faulkner at the F.E. Warren Clinic. His goal is to be as present in his office as possible. Other options are to make an appointment using the Patient Appointment Line at (307) 773-3461, or by going through a PCM.

If someone has a friend, coworker, or family member who they think could benefit from BHOP, they should not be shy to refer them. F.E. Warren is a tight-knit community that looks out for each other. Whether someone just needs a listening ear or someone to help them implement a lifestyle change, Dr. Faulkner with the Behavioral Health Optimization Program is gladly at their service.