Behavioral Health Offers Soldiers Tools and Resources | Article

HOHENFELS, Germany — On May 19, the US Army Health Clinic Hohenfels hosted an open house to discuss the policies and procedures in place to eliminate the stigma associated with service members seeking and receiving mental health services. Lt. Col. Marlene Arias-Reynoso, director of behavioral health at US Army Health Clinic Hohenfels, led discussions with leaders of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, the Directorate of Emergency Services and the Joint Multinational Training Center in Hohenfels.

The primary goal of the open house was to increase communication and collaboration between the behavioral health team and the different units. Command teams took this opportunity to meet face to face with behavioral health staff and learn about the variety of resources they provide to the community.

Leadership plays a big role when it comes to the behavioral health needs of soldiers and their families, according to Arias-Reynoso. It is important that leadership have the tools to recognize warning signs early enough to help Soldiers receive the support they need and avoid negative outcomes.

“As a behavioral health provider, I see soldiers separated from the military for misconduct because they got in trouble because of an incident involving alcohol or domestic violence,” Arias-Reynoso said. “Most of these incidents can be prevented if we take action early on.”

What is the Behavioral Health service?

Behavioral health service is a program available to soldiers. The goal is to help soldiers improve their overall physical and mental health. The service offers help when stress or concern about Soldiers’ physical health or other life issues interfere with their daily lives.

What problems can behavioral health help with?

Behavioral health can help Soldiers develop plans for stress management or other lifestyle changes. It can also help soldiers with emotional or behavioral problems related to interpersonal issues, grief, depression, anxiety, or anger.

Behavioral health can also help soldiers reduce or better cope with symptoms of various medical conditions, including migraine and tension headaches, fibromyalgia, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, and many more. others.

How is Behavioral Health different from the Health Clinic team?

Behavioral Health simply adds another option for comprehensive medical care for soldiers. Behavioral Health provides brief consultations and interventions, not traditional psychotherapy. If requested, or if behavioral health professionals believe the Soldier would benefit from this, they will refer the Soldier to specialty mental health services.

The stressors of military life can strongly influence the psychological well-being of soldiers and their families. Behavioral health conditions, particularly when they go unrecognized and untreated, can lead to a lack of medical preparation, early discharge from the military, suicidal behavior, and many other outcomes.

To be successful in the military, soldiers must be resilient and psychologically strong. That’s where Hohenfels behavioral health providers help by providing Soldiers and their families with resources and tools to overcome stress and build their resilience so they can perform at their best.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness!

Editor’s Note: USAG Bavaria soldiers can make appointments with Behavior Health using these phone numbers:

Hohenfels: DSN 590-3300 or CIV 06371-9464-3300 or https://mhs-europe.tricare.mil/Clinics/Hohenfels-Army-Health-Clinic/Behavioral-Health

Rose Barracks: DSN 590-2300 or CIV 06371-9464-2300 or https://mhs-europe.tricare.mil/Clinics/Vilseck-Army-Health-Clinic/Behavioral-Health

Tower Barracks: DSN 590-3000 or CIV 06371-9464-3000 or https://mhs-europe.tricare.mil/Clinics/Grafenwoehr-Army-Health-Clinic/Behavioral-Health