IMCOM-Europe supports service members, families during COVID-19

WIESBADEN, Germany -- Installation Management Command – Europe is providing alternative services to support the military and civilian community while preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Programs such as the Behavioral Health Clinic, Employee Assistance Program, Military Family Life Counselors, on-call duty Chaplain service, and Stop-Movement Customer Assistance Point are available to any individuals in need of assistance or counseling through phone or email.

To maintain social distancing, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wiesbaden Behavioral Health Clinic is limiting face-to-face patient contact as much as possible.

Routine behavioral healthcare will continue, but telephone and virtual health appointments will be used in many cases. However, the clinic remains open for walk-in crisis care from 6:30 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Other clinics around Europe have similar services. Garrison websites are the recommended source for specific information in each community.

Maintaining mental health is a large factor in staying physically healthy. The services through garrison entities offer support to civilians, military and family members.

“Resiliency is extremely important right now,” Dr. John Kaiser, the Employee Assistance Program coordinator and counselor said. “As Sgt. Maj. (Robert) Abernethy says ‘we need to combat the effects of cabin-fever, especially if you might happen to be on quarters right now or working from home.’"

Kaiser said, "One of the biggest things that can affect our immune system -- and we need to have as strong an immune system as possible right now -- is stress, and that’s why I’m talking about the importance of mental health.”

Kaiser works as the community readiness and resilience integrator as well as the health promotion officer for Wiesbaden. Through the Employee Assistance Program, Kaiser gives confidential screening, assessment and health-related referral resources that provide counseling and support to civilian employees, service members, civilian family members, and retirees at no cost. A counselor will work with a patient to discuss challenges they are facing and find strategies and resources to help resolve issues.

“The biggest thing is if you have a question, ask,” he said. “Go to the garrison website, you’ll find places where you can go and get information because information is key to reducing stress and we want to make sure we are taking care of ourselves through this difficult time.”

Military Family Life Counselors are providing non-medical, short-term, situational problem-solving counseling for service members and their families to help deal with stress. Another method available for counseling or support is the 24/7 on-call duty chaplain for after-hours emergencies. Religious Support Offices provide a weekly rotation of chaplains to serve any individual or family member on assignment orders to a U.S. Army Garrison or a tenant unit.

Wiesbaden stood-up a special office to assist with the effects of the Stop-Move order. The Stop-Movement Customer Assistance Point was established to provide Soldiers, DA civilians and family members a one-stop location to manage information pertaining to moves that are delayed or potentially delayed due to coronavirus.

The SM-CAP ensures community members receive accurate and up-to-date information, one-on-one case management, coordination with tenant unit commands. It assists customers with addressing specific questions related to their move to reduce stress related to the impact of coronavirus. SM-CAP personnel also coordinate with the EAP to provide emotional support and stress management.

The office also helps manage the distribution and adjudication of an influx of questions as a result of duty status changes for a large number of troops.

“The biggest thing for me is to stay positive, stay optimistic, stay physically strong, emotionally, spiritually and relational, and that is the biggest thing we can do right now,” Kaiser said.

For more information on what services your garrison is providing, check out its web page or the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation website.

To find out information related to the coronavirus, visit the “Coronavirus Disease 2019” website at https://www.coronavirus.gov?source=GovDelivery, and the “What the U.S. Government is Doing” website at https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus?source=GovDelivery, or your Garrison’s website.