Psychological Health Advocates bring awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Hehnly
  • 911 AW/PA
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  Representatives from the Air Force Reserve Psychological Health Advocacy Program visited the 911th Airlift Wing, Jan. 7, 2011, to educate members on the program's services.

Lt. Col. Jennifer L. Wedel, PHAP case facilitator, and Tech. Sgt. Trisha J. Best, PHAP Outreach Specialist, travel to different bases, as well as, to Yellow Ribbon programs to inform Air Force Reserve members on how to access the free resources available to them.

PHAP not only directs members to find services but also follows up with them to ensure they get the appropriate results.

Resources are available to everyone in the Air Force Reserve, whether deployed or not, as well as their spouses and dependents.

"There is a lot out there that people might not be aware of, including where to go for specific problems," said Lt. Col. Wedel. "Sometimes members do, but their spouses do not."

You can find out what mental health services can do for you and how you can access these resources by calling one of the Outreach Specialists: Tech. Sgt. Trisha Best or Staff Sgt. Lisa Perry at 937-257-2396.

If you are interested in assessing your psychological well-being anonymously there is an interactive website called A Different Kind of Courage at https://www.militarymentalhealth.org/Welcome.aspx.

The screening will tell you whether or not you have symptoms that are consistent with a condition or concern that would benefit from further evaluation or treatment.

Suicide prevention continues to be a focus in AFRC, one is too many. For suicide prevention information you can visit http://afrc.wingmantoolkit.org/press-and-partners.html or call the Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.