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National Guard Psychological Health Program 25 April 12 NGB JSG-PH. LTC Laura Wheeler, LCSW ARNG Office of the Chief Surgeon 703-607-9535 laura.a.wheeler@us.army.mil. National Guard Manpower. Army National Guard 77% 350,000. Air National Guard 23% 107,000.
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National Guard Psychological Health Program25 April 12NGB JSG-PH LTC Laura Wheeler, LCSW ARNG Office of the Chief Surgeon 703-607-9535 laura.a.wheeler@us.army.mil
National Guard Manpower Army National Guard 77% 350,000 Air National Guard 23% 107,000 • Majority of Guard members are “traditional” or “part-timers” • 80-85% traditional; 15-20% Active Duty (AGR – Active Guard and Reserve – T32 at State level)
Identifying Symptoms of TBI to PTSD mTBI PTSD Insomnia Memory Deficits Poor Concentration Depressed Mood Anxiety Irritability Intrusive symptoms Emotional Numbing Hyperarousal Avoidance Behavior • Insomnia • Memory Deficits • Poor Concentration • Depressed Mood • Anxiety • Irritability • Headache • Dizziness • Fatigue • Noise/Light Intolerance
At Risk Warning Signs • Warning signs for Leaders: • Comments that suggest thoughts or plans of suicide • Giving away possessions • Obsession with death, dying, etc. • Uncharacteristic behaviors (e.g., reckless driving, stealing) • Significant change in performance • Appearing overwhelmed by recent stressor(s) • Depressed mood; hopelessness • Withdrawal from social activities • Warning signs that someone needs help: • Noticeable changes in eating and sleeping habits • Talking or hinting about suicide • Obsession with death (e.g., in music, poetry, artwork) • Irritability • Alcohol and/or drug use or abuse • Isolation • Giving away possessions/suddenly making a will • Feeling sad, depressed, or hopeless • Non-verbal body language presence, poor hygiene
Key Factors Affecting Utilization • Lack of awareness of services • Multiple programs/redundancy • Minimal staff for state coverage • Stigma • Confidentiality • Financial Challenges • Information/Education • -Clinical • -Policy: Duty status, Title 10/Title 32 • -Geography
Armories and Wings are community-based Locations are seldom within the catchments’ area of a military treatment facility Non-provision of health care treatment All care is received externally through TRICARE, the Veterans Health Administration, and health insurance provided through a Guard member or spouse’s civilian employer Varying degrees of capability between communities Psychological health is not a core competency Inconsistency between a state’s ability to design and implement a psychological health program NG Psychological Health Challenges
NGB Psychological Health Mission To advocate for and support NG members and families by promoting mental fitness and personal wellness for operational readiness Develop community-based behavioral health networks Educate NG members and their families Assess and refer NG members (families) who may have behavioral health issues Conduct Leadership Education and Training Build psychological health fitness and resilience while dispelling stigma Document and track data to provide quality services and identify needs/trends Disaster Behavioral Health Receive military culture training to service National Guard members appropriately as part of the contract DPH Functions
Current State DPH Status VT WA ME AK ND MT NH MN OR MA WI MI NY RI ID SD CT WY PA NJ IA DE OH NE NV IN MD IL UT DC WV VA CO CA KS MO KY NC GU TN OK SC AR AZ NM HI GA MS AL LA TX FL Green = DPH Service Yellow = Hiring Decision PR VI
NGB INTEGRATED SERVICES DELIVERY MODEL State Coalition HHS VISN Mental Health PHS SFPD DPH Governor’s Office Family Readiness Volunteers Child and Youth Vet Center Federal Services ESGR National Guard Services State Directors Mental Health and Substance Abuse Adjutant General NCA State Directors Of VA NG Chaplains VHA VBA FACs Legal Services National Guard STATE JOINT FORCE HEADQUARTERS Army Community Service Financial Services Training Support MPF/’ MILPO Fed, State, Local & Private Orgs. Services Information VSO Military Medical Community Medical Hold (CBHCO) All assets in support of the NG member and families TRICARE Community Services DoD Services AW2: Army Wounded Warrior Civilian Medical Community Community Mental Health WTU Military Severely Injured Center Air Wounded Warrior Military One Source
ARNG Support Programs/Initiatives • Soldier Family Support Division: R3SP Campaign Plan: The R3SP Campaign Plan redefines suicide prevention as an integrated part of a broader based resilience and risk reduction framework. • Master Resilience Trainers: In FY11, the ARNG established, a master Resilience Trainer (MRT) Training Center at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. Currently the ARNG has over 1,000MRTs. • Vet4Warriors: V4W is a peer support line that provides all National Guard and Reserve Component Service Members, direct access to supportive, non-attributional, conversations with well-trained veteran peers who share similar experiences. • National Guard Employment Network : Serves as a Comprehensive Job and Training Resource for Soldiers and Families. • SAMSHA MOU: Assist National Guard State/Territories in forming collaborative relationships with all entities that provide BH services and benefits for NG members and their families • Recruiting and Retention/IST: Tracking checklist
Resources • Vets4Warriors: www.usar.army.mil/arweb • www.ptsd.va.gov • https://www.ebenefits.va.gov • www.health.mil/intransition • www.jointservicessupport.org • www.dvbic.org • www.womenshealthva.gov • http://www.realwarriors.net • DCoE: http://www.dcoe.health.mil/ 1866-966-1020 • SuicideOutreach.org 1800-273-TALK (8225)
Resources (con’t) • Military OneSource www.militaryonesource.com 1800-342-9647; Overseas 1800-342-6477; Collect Call 1-484-530-5908 • SAMHSA’s Military Families Strategic Initiative, Service Systems Development Program: http://www.samhsa.gov/militaryFamilies/factSheet.aspx • Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf/asp • After deployment: http//www.afterdeployment.org/ • Tricare: http://www/tricare.mil/providers/ • www.t2health.org (Telehealth Services) • Sesame Street-Talk, Listen, Connect www.sesameworkshop.org/initiatives/emotion/tlc
CONTACT INFORMATION • LTC Laura Wheeler, ACSW, LCSW • ARNG Office of the Chief Surgeon 703-607-9535 laura.a.wheeler@us.army.mil • Cheryl Marrow, LMFT, LPC NGB Psychological Health Program Senior Policy Liaison 703-607-5288 cheryl.l.marrow@us.army.mil
Questions • Questions?