Page 2 - Nellis Creech NTTR Bullseye 5-6-16

2 May 6, 2016
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Putting mental health in focus
By Prerana Korpe
Air Force Surgeon General Public A airs
FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Nearly one
in ve adults or 43 million Americans,
have a diagnosable mental disorder
according to the National Institute of
Mental Health.
Contrary to many other brain disor-
ders, e ective treatments are available
for mental disorders.
May is Mental Health Awareness
Month, a time of year to bring awareness
to mental health issues and available
resources.
According to the Department of
Health and Human Services, many
factors can contribute to mental health
issues. is includes biological factors,
life experiences as well as family history
of mental health problems.
Mental health affects everyone. It
influences thoughts, feelings and ac-
Voices
By Chaplain (Capt.) Jason T. Klodnicki
99th Air Base Wing Chapel
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — “I sound just
like my mother!” — “I swore I would never say that to
my children!”
ese are phrases that sometimes grace our lips as
we live our lives and grow and experience family. We
sometimes, like history, repeat the follies of our parents creative and the rest was history.
and bestow more stories to be told by our own children.
What we say and do re ects the internal character
we all protect and attempt to bridal in order to “ t in”
among others. ere are voices we adhere to that form
the foundation we build upon to fortify our character.
I would like to address these “voices” and share how
to decipher those that would either harm or help us
become better.
As a child we submit ourselves to the voices of our
parents. We obey their commands and trust that what
they say is doctrine. eir voice trumps all others and
if the world says otherwise then the world is wrong.
I remember as a child we would always have sour
cream on Rice-a-Roni, one of my favorite sides. ere
was just no other way to eat it.
At age 19, while serving as a missionary for my
Bullseye News Staff
Paul Kinison, Publisher, Aerotech News and Review
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Commentary
tions. e state of one’s mental health
can determine how they make decisions,
interact with others, and cope with daily
stressors. Mental health is a factor of
overall wellbeing much like physical
health.
Air Force mental health clinics are
critical to the health and readiness of
bene ciaries and family members. Ser-
vices include mental health assessment,
education, consultation and treatment
through a variety of evidence-based
therapeutic exercises. is includes both
individual and group therapy.
Mental health assessment
The Automated Neuropsychologi-
cal Assessment Metrics is the Defense
Department mandated pre-deployment
assessment and is administered to all
service members within 12 months of
deployment.
e assessment establishes a neuro-
cognitive baseline. is is used to mea-
church, I was sharing a meal with a family who hap-
pened to serve this to us. I asked for sour cream and you
would have thought I wanted to mix it with dog food.
I was confused. Later, when I was visiting with my
parents, I shared this experience and asked why my
request was received with such disgust? ey then
simply shared that when they were newly married, and
poor I might add, that they only had Rice-a Roni and
found some sour cream in the fridge and decided to be
I also foolishly trusted a voice from a high school
friend whom I believed had my best interests at heart.
He did not. Without going into detail — let me just
say the law did not get involved and I was thankful for
that grace.
Understanding that we are all at some point in a
foreign environment and away from our families, may
I entertain the notion that there are still ‘voices’ trying I’m very still, I will hear, one clear voice, I’m always
to in uence our daily walk.
Voices that introduce depression, sel shness and
even hatred try to compete with the voices that bring
peace, hope and con dence. Which will you enlist to
follow? It is up to you. at which surrounds you will
give power to one set of voices or the other. e shows
you watch and books you read and even the music you
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BULLSEYE
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sure potential cognitive changes in in- Optimization Program is a primary care
dividuals exposed to a concussive event. behavioral health program. Through
BHOP, behavioral health personnel are
In the event of a traumatic brain in- integrated into primary care clinics to
jury, the baseline is used to determine provide the right care. BHOP is avail-
changes in cognitive functioning for able to all active-duty service members,
assessment of a service member’s return retirees and their family members.
to duty status.
Seeking treatment
e Air Force Family Advocacy Pro-
gram implements programs to prevent
and treat domestic abuse, child abuse and
neglect. e program provides training,
consultation services and program and
policy development.
While nearly 50 percent of people
with a treatable behavioral health dis-
order do not seek care from a behav-
ioral health professional, 80 percent
visit their primary care manager at least
once annually.
e Air Force is changing primary
care teams to better address behavioral
health needs. The Behavioral Health
listen to all either give strength to or diminish from the
power of these voices.
Here is the trick. Ready? Sometimes you cannot
silence the damaging voices. If that is the case we must
then acknowledge that they exist and intentionally force
them to revert to a whisper while we encourage better
voices sing a chorus of those messages that will bring
us through the darkness and in to the light.
Peter Cetera performed a number entitled “One
Clear Voice.” Permit me to close with the lyrics from
this insightful song:
“ e whole world is talking, Drowning out my voice,
How can I hear myself, With all this noise, But all this
confusion, Just disappears, When I nd a quiet place,
Where I can hear, One clear voice, Calling out for me
to listen, One clear voice, Whispers words of wisdom,
I close my eyes, ‘Till I nd what I’ve been missing, If
searching, For which path to take, Sometimes I’m so
afraid, To make mistakes, From somewhere inside me,
Stronger than my fears, Just like the sound of music,
To my ears, I hear, One clear voice, Calling out for me
to listen, One clear voice, Whispers words of wisdom,
I close my eyes, ‘Till I nd what I’ve been missing, If
I’m very still, I will hear, one clear voice.”
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