517th TRG provides mental health support to students

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Donald Brunk
  • 517th Training Group
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, California --  The 517th Training Group, a 17th Training Wing tenant unit, now has psychologist and behavioral health technicians.

These technicians are the first team to set up an Air Education and Training Command Operational Medical Element. Their job is to provide improved mental health support to the Air Force’s newest Cryptologic Language Analyst’s staff and students.

Historically, the intelligence career field has been recognized as stressful. Several operational intelligence wings have successfully employed embedded OMEs in units to give their Airmen resiliency tools needed to succeed in today’s dynamic environment. The 517th TRG’s goal was to capitalize on that model and thus further destigmatize mental health care by providing easy access earlier in an Airman’s career.

For years intelligence Airmen viewed visiting a mental health provider as a risk that could impact their security clearance and so they frequently postponed seeking help until the moment of crisis. By leveraging preventative measures and providing easier access, Airmen will have resources available at their fingertips allowing them to address life issues before they escalate into a crisis.

Using Comprehensive Airmen Fitness as a guide, the ultimate desire is for Airmen to be as comfortable seeking out a mental health provider for mental resiliency as they are in seeking care from a doctor for physical ailments, a chaplain for spiritual needs, and the fellowship of other Airmen, family and friends for social resiliency. A mental health provider and technician can be particularly useful when former coping strategies are no longer sufficient to manage the increased stress associated with joining the Air Force and pursuing the demanding Defense Language Institute curriculum. A mental health provider can help students identify and implement strategies for keeping stress in the optimum range encouraging motivation while avoiding burnout. To address life challenges and expand and build upon coping skills, the mental health team meets with students and staff individually for counseling and consultation.

The two-person team is currently Air Force Reserve, but will eventually transition over to active duty as the billets are established and filled. In the meantime, the reserve echelon team has been working diligently to overcome the challenges of establishing a new function such as medical credentialing, establishing Army network connectivity, and access to medical systems and databases. With host installation support and coordination with 517th TRG staff members, the team has already begun to see patients, conduct outreach, educate students and staff, and provide advice to the chain of command. The 517th TRG continues to look for other innovative ways to support the Airmen as they tackle rigorous language training courses.