Mental, emotional, and behavioral health refers to the overall psychological well-being of individuals and includes the presence of positive characteristics, such as the ability to manage stress, demonstrate flexibility under changing conditions, and bounce back from adverse situations.

From childhood through late adulthood, there are certain times when we may need help addressing problems and issues that cause us emotional distress or make us feel overwhelmed despite how healthy we may think we are.

Military life, especially the stress of deployments or mobilizations, can
present challenges to service members and their families that are both unique
and difficult. Some are manageable, some are not. Many times we can successfully deal with them on our own. In some instances matters get worse and one problem can trigger other more serious issues. When you are experiencing these types of difficulties, you may benefit from the assistance of an experienced, trained professional to check things out and see what is really happening.

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. Prevention and early intervention is key. Don’t wait until the issues snowball into a major event that affects your work and home life as well as your relationships.

• Common Questions About Counseling
• Choosing a Counselor or Therapist

Services available to the Ellsworth AFB community:
– Mental Health Clinic 385-3656 (Active Duty Only)
– Base Chaplains 385-1598 (Chaplains offer 100% confidentiality)
– Military & Family Life Counselors
– Tricare: Family members do not need referral for first 8 visits with a network provider (Find a Network Provider)
– Military OneSource non-medical counseling services are available to provide help with short-term issues to those who are eligible. They offer the following service options: Face-to-Face Counseling, Telephonic Counseling, International Calling Options, Online Counseling.
– 24/7 National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255
– Airman & Family Readiness Center

Worried About Your Security Clearance?

The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, used to ask the applicant to acknowledge mental health care in the past seven years. It does not ask for treatment details if the care involved only marital, family, or grief counseling, not related to violence by the applicant, unless the treatment was court-ordered.

Officials said surveys have shown that troops feel if they answer “yes” to the question, they could jeopardize their security clearances, required for many occupations in the military.

Since April 18, 2008 applicants have not had to acknowledge care under the same conditions, nor if the care was related to service in a military combat zone. The revised wording has been distributed to the services and will be attached to the cover of the questionnaire. The revised question will not show up printed on the forms until the department depletes its pre-printed stock. Read the announcement from the Official Air Force website.

• How Stigma Interferes with Mental Health Care [PDF]

Learn how you can help promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being in the U.S. by downloading the Fact Sheet from SAMHSA.

Other Resources:

• SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices (NREPP) – A searchable online registry of more than 250 interventions supporting mental health promotion, substance abuse prevention, and mental health and substance abuse treatment.
• SAMHSA’s Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health (ADS Center) – A center that enhances acceptance and social inclusion by ensuring that people with mental health problems can live full, productive lives within communities without fear of prejudice and discrimination. The ADS Center provides information and assistance to develop successful efforts to counteract prejudice and discrimination and promote social inclusion.
• The Partnership for Workplace Mental Health – An organization that collaborates with employers and maintains a database of successful innovations and strategies.
• SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator – A resource that can help people find mental health services and resources in their communities.
• Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2013 – A national observance that seeks to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth. In 2013, Awareness Day was held on Thursday, May 9.
• Preventing Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People: Progress and Possibilities – A resource by the National Research Council and      Institute of Medicine that analyzes prevention practices that have emerged in a variety of settings, including programs for selected at-risk populations (such as children and youth in the child welfare system), school-based interventions, interventions in primary care settings, and community services designed to address a broad array of mental health needs and populations. This resource focuses special attention on the research base and program experience with younger populations.