Mental Health Month
Source: Army STAND-TO! May 4, 2010
What it is?
May is Mental Health Month. "Live Your Life Well-Promoting Health and Wellness in the Army" is the 2010 theme. Commanders and leaders across the Army are encouraged to use the month of May as an opportunity to educate Soldiers, Army civilians and family members about the Army's behavioral health resources and programs available on Army installations, military treatment facilities and within their local communities.
What has the Army done?
Military life, especially deployments, mobilizations and long separations present challenges for some Soldiers, Army civilians and their family members. To keep Soldiers, civilians and the families that support them healthy in mind, body and spirit and to build resilience and restore balance in their lives; the Army is moving towards a model of Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF). The focus of the four-pillared CSF program, which offers users a self-assessment followed by confidential self-help modules, is on prevention and building strength and resiliency instead of providing treatment after a problem has already occurred. The Army Medical Command recently initiated Virtual Behavioral Health screening programs at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Richardson, Alaska; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Fort Bliss, Texas, as alternative means of providing behavioral care.
What does the Army have planned for the future?
At the United States Army Medical Symposium and Exposition, May 17-21, 2010, San Antonio, Texas, MEDCOM will formally roll out a new Comprehensive Behavioral Health System of Care (CBHSOC) Campaign Plan. The CBHSOC is nested under the Army Campaign Plan for Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention to standardize and optimize the vast array of behavioral health policies and procedures across the MEDCOM to ensure seamless continuity of care to better identify, prevent, treat and track behavioral health issues that affect Soldiers and families during every phase of the Army Force Generation cycle.
Why is Mental Health Month important to the Army?
Stress reactions and behavioral support requirements are at an all time high for the nation. It is imperative that we as an Army family do all we can to help our Soldiers, civilians and family members manage the normal stresses of combat and deployments-before during and after. We also must maximize use of our behavioral health providers and do all we can to eliminate stigma for persons who seek or need behavioral health care lasting more than a month.
Resources:
U.S. Army Medical Department
Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Web site
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