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59th MDW: Mental health impacts readiness
June 1, 2023 — Our mental, physical, and emotional well-being can affect many aspects of our health. Taking a holistic approach allows us to achieve wellness in all facets of life... MORE

Breaking silence: Shattering the taboo of mental health
May 15, 2023 — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illness... MORE

Airman holds up sign that reads, be kind to your mind.

New mental health care initiative improves access to care and readiness
May 8, 2023 — Air Force mental health leaders implemented a new initiative to nearly all Air Force bases to improve access to mental health, increase access to support resources, and mitigate the impact on readiness... MORE

A room plaque for the 341st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron mental health flight is pictured inside the base clinic June 23, 2021, at Malmstrom Air Force Base Mont.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs: DOD focused on improving mental health of force
March 9, 2023 — Defense Department health leaders provided testimony at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing March 7. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez said the department is committing resources with a focus on preventing suicides of military and family members. ... MORE

Physician Says DOD Focused on Improving Mental Health of Force

Online courses provide aid to those affected by suicide
September 22, 2022 — The Defense Department is now offering two online courses that provide support and guidance for those affected by suicide... MORE

New 988 dialing code to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
July 14, 2022 — Starting Saturday, July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will change to a new three-digit dialing code: 988. ... MORE

Graphic showing a photo of a girl on her cellphone and the following text: "988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Coming July 16. Call, Text, Chat: SAMHSA's new 988 dialing code."

Healthy weight: How diet, lifestyle and mental health impact your eating habits and fitness
July 13, 2022 — Think you might need to lose a little weight? You're not alone. Even in the military, where maintaining physical fitness remains a job requirement and a key component of military readiness, thousands of service members struggle with weight... MORE

Image of an Airman holding a cookie and broccoli.

Air Force secretary talks PTSD, mental health with medical leaders
June 30, 2022 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall met with Air Force Medical Service leaders to discuss the Department of the Air Force’s approach to prioritizing post-traumatic stress disorder care and support June 24... MORE

960th CW hosts Mental Health & Resiliency Fair
June 14, 2022 — More than 1,220 Airmen and families attended the 960th Cyberspace Wing’s 2nd annual Mental Health & Resiliency Fair in-person and virtually at the Bob Hope Performing Arts Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 14... MORE

Reserve Citizen Airmen visit community organization information booths during the 960th Cyberspace Wing Mental Health & Resiliency Fair May 14, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Mental Health Awareness: It’s okay to answer Question 21
May 4, 2022 — May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a good time to bring up Question 21 on Standard Form 86, which federal employees complete for initial or renewed security clearances. ... MORE

Invisible Wounds Initiative helps build a supportive culture for Airmen, Guardians, and families through focused leadership
January 27, 2022 — The Command Team Campaign is a communications effort to increase knowledge and enable command teams to build connectedness, trust, and openness to tough conversations about cognitive, emotional, or behavioral conditions associated with trauma or adverse life events... MORE

An invisible wound is a cognitive, emotional, or behavioral condition that can be associated with trauma or serious adverse life events.

Restoring mental health in the New Year
January 26, 2022 — When the New Year comes around, many people look at re-establishing positive aspects of their life. They declutter their homes, start a new workout routine, work on paying off debt or start a new hobby. Either way, the decisions they make are beneficial to restoring their mental health. ... MORE

If there is a strong foundation of mental health most stressors, changes and unexpected incidents are easier to accept and take care of. Tending to and restoring mental health doesn’t mean there will never be setbacks, but it ensures that we are able to be successful in life, and have the ability to assist others when they are going through hard times.

Tough Conversation: Suicide, mental health awareness
December 23, 2021 — Brig. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, the 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Casy Boomershine hosted their “Tough Conversation” forum Dec. 14, 2021, where they discussed suicide awareness and mental health issues with 12 JBSA-Randolph members... MORE

Relationships, connections, support critical to preventing suicide
September 15, 2021 — Challenges created by the pandemic have left many feeling stressed and isolated. During times like these, relationships and interpersonal connections to family and friends are vital to a person’s wellbeing... MORE

Relationships, connections and support critical to preventing suicide

PTSD: Seeking out mental health care is the first step to wellness
June 29, 2021 — Service members, family members and veterans who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder may repeatedly re-experience their ordeal as nightmares, flashbacks or frightening thoughts, especially when exposed to events that remind them of their original trauma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... MORE

Image of an Airman with his hands crossed.

960th CW hosts Mental Health and Resiliency Fair at JBSA
May 26, 2021 — The 960th Cyberspace Wing kicked off National Mental Health Awareness Month by inviting service members, civilians and their families to its inaugural Mental Health and Resiliency Fair at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 1 with more than 800 attendees both in-person and virtually... MORE

Maj. Joya Gamara, 854th Combat Operations Squadron chief of combat plans division, speaks with Christina Avalos, 960th Cyberspace Wing psychological health volunteer, and Christyn Mundy, 960th CW psychological health intern, during the Mental Health and Resiliency Fair, May 1, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Samantha Mathison)

Reducing the stigma, encouraging mental health care in the military
May 19, 2021 — In the military, the stigma of mental health is grounded in the cultural misperception that a service member must have "zero defects" to be mission-ready. While the Department of Defense strives to identify and eliminate barriers to care that service members face regarding mental health treatment, stigma remains a significant issue within the military... MORE

Through good days and bad: A caregiver supports wife's recovery from invisible wounds
May 10, 2021 — There are many roles a person will play in a lifetime. For military families, these roles often cross the threshold of personal and professional life... MORE

Department of the Air Force leaders focus on resiliency
February 10, 2021 — Senior leaders are focused on building and growing resilience by establishing a task force called Operation Arc Care. This task force is currently reviewing resilience programs and overarching strategy using a phased approach which began in November... MORE

Maintaining good mental health vital through ongoing pandemic
February 9, 2021 — The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has created new challenges for everyone. Normal routines have been replaced by unfamiliar isolation and adjustments to home-life, work, and school... MORE