Mental health, here to help

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  While May be mental health month, the 7th Medical Group offers free mental health care year round for all servicemembers and their families.

High gas prices, long work hours, and children getting out of school for the summer can put a lot of stress on a family. Sometimes it helps to be able to talk to someone before all that stress impacts your work or family life negatively, said 1st Lt. Jodi Memery, 7th Medical Group, chief of social work services.

"The most important thing to recognize about mental health is know yourself and take care of the important things in your life," Lieutenant Memery said.

Not taking care of yourself mentally can lead to eventual sleep loss, increase in irritability, and a loss of focus. More importantly, smaller problems can later become bigger problems if not addressed, the lieutenant said.

The mental health clinic offers several services in order to help a person get back on track and live a normal life.

"Sometimes it's as simple as a conversation or two that allows a person to feel better about what they need to do," lieutenant Memery said. "We also can offer extended sessions or if necessary, find services for the individual downtown.'

Getting a person in the door though, is sometimes the hardest part.

"I know a lot of my friends attach a stigmatism to going to mental health," said Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Forrest, 7th MDG mental health technician. "However, the only thing we want to do here is help not hurt that person's career."

In fact, there are several rules that protect a patient's right when it comes to mental health, the lieutenant said.

"The only times we are going to discuss this outside our doors is if we feel you are going to be a threat to yourself or other people," Lieutenant Memery said. "You can be perfectly fine in your life, and then all of a sudden something could shake it up. We want to help get you back on track, not make things more difficult for you."

For more information about the mental health clinic, call 696-5380, or simply walk in to schedule an appointment. The clinic is located on the third floor of the 7th MDG.