JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH,Texas –
Fostering resilience in Air Force members, civilians and contractors exposed to potentially traumatic events is the mission of special teams found on installations around the globe.
Composed of mental health professionals, chaplains and community readiness consultants, Disaster Mental Health teams accomplish their mission through pre-exposure preparation training, education, screening, psychological first aid, intervention and referral.
Air Force Instruction 44-153 defines disaster mental health as "the coordinated response typically at permanent in-garrison locations, initiated by unit leaders in which the DMH team provides psychological first aid to individuals and groups who may have or who have had direct exposure to an all-hazard incident. An all-hazard incident is any incident, natural or manmade, serious enough to warrant action to protect the life, property, health and safety of military members, dependents and civilians at risk, and minimize any disruptions of installation operations."
Events that DMH teams typically respond to range from "class-A mishaps" and line-of-duty deaths or injuries to natural disasters affecting a large number of military members as well as large-scale search-and-rescue and search-and-recovery operations, Col. Denise Thompson, 359th Medical Operations Squadron clinical social worker, said.
Class-A mishaps are defined as noncombat accidents that result in death, a permanent total disability or damage of at least $1 million.
Pre-exposure preparation training is an important tool of DMH teams, Tech. Sgt. Helen Trota, 359th MDOS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Clinic NCO in charge, said. Briefings are presented to Airmen and civilians more likely to respond to traumatic events, including firefighters and paramedics, security forces and medical professionals.
"We want them to be prepared and know what to expect when they face a stressful situation," she said. "Other units can have these briefings on request."
Preparation for potentially traumatic situations also comes in the form of classes provided by the 359th MDOS Mental Health Flight at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Human Performance Resource Center, Trota said. Topics include anger management, stress management and managing emotions.
When people are exposed to traumatic events, the DMH team provides an array of other services, from intervention and screening to psychological first aid.
"For people who are experiencing more than the normal or expected stress reactions, referrals to base agencies such as the chapel, mental health clinic, military and family life consultant and the military and family readiness center are provided," Thompson said. "Necessary civilian resources would be accessed for civilians or family members who may need additional support."
People who have been exposed to these events are allowed up to four free one-on-one meetings with DMH team members for education and consultation, Trota said.
"After that, they are referred to the appropriate agency," she said.
The wingman concept is an important part of the process, Thompson said.
"The wingman concept is emphasized during pre-exposure preparation training and following an event so unit members can assist one another and be able to assist family members," she said.
Each JBSA location has its own DMH team, but members may be called to the other locations to provide support, Thompson said.
JBSA teams also provide support to installations outside the San Antonio area, Thompson said. Examples are hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast and helping tornado victims in Oklahoma. In addition, the M&FRC hosts and supports the Emergency Family Assistance Control Center in times of disaster response.
DMH teams are important because of the resilience they foster, Thompson said.
"Resiliency to deal with critical and traumatic incidents is shown to decrease stress reactions," she said. "Support focused on education and normalization of reactions provided immediately after an incident helps those affected to understand stress reactions and incorporate positive stress management."