OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES HiIhop 6 TIMES May 15, 2014 Mental health: Essential to comprehensive fitness BY SENIOR AIRMAN SHANE M. PHIPPS 30th Space Wing Public Affairs VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — As Airmen begin to return from more than a decade of combat in the Middle East, and cope with the perils of war, distinguishing mental health clinics as valuable resources rather than detrimental careerenders is paramount. Although it aims to promote overall mental fitness, negative reactions toward mental health have been common in the military. "Often times, people are afraid to come to mental health because they feel like their careers will be affected but what we want people to know is the reason we exist is so they can stay on the front-lines and continue to do their jobs every day," said Maj. Crystal McLeod, from the 30th Medical Operations Squadron. "My SENIOR AIRMAN SHANE PHIPPS/U.S. Air Force Maj. Crystal McLeod and Staff Sgt. Rebecca Michalek demonstrate relaxation training on May 7, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. In addition to treating military related post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health has the capability to assist with a wide variety of ailments. McLeod is the 30th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy officer. Michalek is the 30th MDOS mental health element NCO in-charge. goal is not to take things away or stop people from working, I need them to work. That's why we're here, so we can keep them in their duties." In addition to treating military related posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health has the capability to assist with a wide variety of ailments. "My primary role in the clinic is the family ad- vocacy officer," McLeod said. "My job is not only to deal with things that may be perceived as being negative in family advocacy, but it is also to help the Vandenberg Air Force Base community understand that we offer lots of preventive services to help enhance families as well." Due to the often sensitive nature of patients' psychological well-being, the dedicated personnel of the mental health clinic take their work extremely seriously. "My goal is to make everyone who comes to our clinic, leave with a smile on their face," said Staff Sgt. Rebecca Michalek, the 30th MDOS mental health element NCO in-charge. "I want our service members to get the help they need not only for the mission, but for themselves." While many military members remain wary of mental health clinics, McLeod is proud of how far her profession has come over the years. "Back in the Vietnam days if you couldn't perform, you went home," McLeod said. "The stig- ma of mental health was very prevalent. Now, the military has resources available to help our service members continue with the mission during their times of need." Mental health personnel maintain great job satisfaction and encourage anyone who is struggling with anything, to come through their doors. "What keeps me in the uniform is not only my love for the Air Force, but what I do in the Air Force," McLeod said. "I really want people to know we are friendly, fun and have a great time in this clinic, yet we are very serious about treating our patients and getting them the care they need." UTAH NNE MD MEW 800-258-1861 EXT 555 A DIVISION OF TEAM ONE UTAH'S MOST ACTIVE REALTORS® ( • Hill AFB Job Openings Site Internal civilian Rest and recuperation leave program affected by loss of imminent danger pay BY MAJ. DAVID FAGGARD U.S. Air Forces Central Cornmand Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. — Defense officials are urging service members to fully understand the Rest and Recuperation Leave Program, also known as R&R, when deploying to the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Starting June 1, nine countries in the theater of operations including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan will not receive imminent danger pay. Because of a normal IDP recertification process completed in December 2013, service members who deploy on 365-day deployments or PCS to these nine countries after June 1, will no longer be eligible for the R&R program, according to a May 6 DoD letter, "Recertification of certain USCENTCOM land areas as chargeable R&R leave areas." The letter states those service members whose deployment started prior to June 1, remain eligible for the R&R program "This recertification has taken place over time as the region has stabilized and countries in the AOR continue to become more and more safe," said Col. Ron Dougherty, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command director of manpow- er, personnel and services. "Several of these locations allow accompanied tours; it didn't quite make sense to have people PCS their families to a location and still receive imminent danger pay." There are more than 21,000 Airmen deployed throughout USCENTCOM; however, only a small portion of them, about 500, are affected by this decision. USCENTCOM officials are working with USAFCENT officials to develop a leave program service members will likely recognize from other parts of the world. "USCENTCOM, in concert with the service components, is developing options on how to best transition from the current R&R program to an ordinary leave program within these nine countries," said Army Col. John Bray, the USCENTCOM chief of manpower and augmentation. "We're exploring all options for a leave program in AFCENT," Dougherty said. For more information, Airmen are encouraged to consult the Air Force Personnel Center website at www.afpc.af.mil , or call AFPC's Total Force Service Center at 800-5250102. announcements are posted on the USAJOBS web site. Announcements for bargaining unit positions are posted any week day. The website is www.usajobs.gov . On the home page type "HILL" in the box titled "What". In the box titled "Where" type "UT" and hit the Search Jobs button. To view all vacancies that are currently open, under "Refine Your Results", top left hand section, select the "Jobs for Federal Employees" bubble. Low east and clone in See tie clilletezoe right DREAM SMILES Don't deal wait the pain an Limo ie. Ca11 ue now! Expiation me' 1 WASHINGTON — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III touched on two topics in his latest message to Airmen calling on them to take care of each other. The first issue he mentioned was suicide, citing a recent spike in suicide numbers across the Air Force since the beginning of the calendar year. "I need all of you to take a look around yourself and take care of each other," he says in the video. "Do everything you can to find the Airman who's struggling, help them get through this. Get them the professional help they need and make sure they understand there's no weakness associated with that." The second topic Welsh discussed was sexual assault. "You are working so hard to do the right things to help us eliminate this 801-70-3030 ankle_ sprainP ANKLE SPRAIN WITHIN 48 HOURS Research Study Enrolling for Ages 18-65 I care of each other scourge ... the results are showing," he said, listing a number of efforts and programs that have been implemented over the last year. He thanked sexual assault response coordinators, victim's advocates, special victims counsel, medical professionals and law enforcement officials, judge advocates and commanders. But Welsh cautioned Airmen about celebrating success too early. "There is no victory dance until we have victory," he said. "So when we hit zero sexual assaults for a year, we'll celebrate. Until then, keep taking care of each other." The message was delivered as part of Welsh's "Airman to Airman" video series designed to highlight important topics to the force. For more videos in the series, check out the CSAF's Web page: httpi/ 2f3in 3 780 S.2000 W.Ste.P4 Slortose, u UT 84073 www:vipdttamsmiles.corx are you experiencing pain from CSAF to Airmen: Take Air Force News Service 20 minutia away www.af.mil/AboutUs/ AirForceSeniorLeaders/ CSAF.aspx. 1•01. dir A research study is comparing topical investigational pain patches for ankle sprains. ¯ ir Must be screened in office within 48 hours of injury. ¯ W Up to $300.00 is provided for time & travel if you qualify. CALL TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY: (801) 614-5514 If you like us, "like" us. www.AnkleStudy.com F. Westside Medical Ericksen Research 1477 North 2000 West, Suite C Clinton, UT 84015 A SPRAIN uausertnnowor facebook.comjstandardexaminer Any Menu Item Chinese and Japanese Cuisine Flavorful Entrées with Beef, Chicken and Fish Made Fresh Daily. 1266 Legend Hills Dr. Clearfield Take Out Orders OK! 10% Military Discount w/I.D. 801-773-7679 www. koiclearfield. corn Mon.-Thurs. 11-9:30. Fri. 11-10:30. Sat. 12-10:30. Sun. 12-9 Buy One Get One of Equal or Lesser Value FREE. Expires 5/31/2014. |