Iraqis learn critical behavioral health skills for care of soldiers

Stress is one of the many challenges most deployed service members face when going through their deployment. Whether it’s caused by physical labor, being in a different environment, or even relationship problems back at home, some individuals need help to find solutions to their problems.

Fortunately, the U.S. Army, as well as other U.S. armed forces branches, have specific programs and centers able to provide help to those who seek it. Soldiers from the 883rd Medical Detachment (Combat Stress Control), 86th Combat Support Hospital, Task Force 804th Medical Brigade, shared their knowledge with their Iraqi counterparts and conducted a behavioral health five-day course with Iraqi officer and enlisted medical representatives from the Iraqi Ground Force Command, June 11-15 on the IGFC compound.

“While there are many differences between people, countries and cultures, coming here during this week reminded me that we share many things as well,” said Maj. Kevin Love, operation stress control commander with the 883rd Med. Det. based out of Boston, Mass. “For us, we’re all here because we care about the Soldiers that are entrusted to us for care.”

The initiative train-the-trainer course informed the Iraqis students of the importance of being proactive when dealing with behavioral issues by using a check list to track the issues and identify at-risk Soldiers.

“There were 14 Soldiers representing 14 Iraqi army divisions,” said Maj. Francisco DaCunha, chief of behavioral health and theater behavioral health consultant with TF 804th Med. Bde. “They were trained by our staff so they could, in turn, train their own soldiers once they return to their units.”

The classes consisted of combat stress control operations, anger and stress management, coping skills, anxiety and relaxation education and psychological interviewing techniques.

Sgt. John Croke, Camp Liberty Clinic noncommissioned officer-in-charge and a behavioral health specialist also with the 883rd Med. Det., said these type of classes are essential to overall medical operations. “The combat stress mission is a force multiplier that keeps Soldiers in the fight,” he said.

On the last day, the Iraqi students were actively engaged in the course with hands-on role-playing of psychological interviewing techniques, showing their trainers their understanding of what they had been taught.

A graduation ceremony was conducted, highlighting the students’ commitment to the class concluding the course. Leaders gave their thanks and gratitude to the students and teachers for their dedication and helping each other learn these critical skills.

“It is truly an honor and a pleasure to be invited to participate in this ceremony and I want to congratulate all the individuals who will receive their certificates today,” said Col. James Snyder, TF 804th Med. Bde. commander. “I wish them the best of luck and once again thank you for allowing us to be a part of your important and successful completion of this training.”

By the end of the course, students would leave more knowledgeable, as well as being able to pass on the information to their fellow doctors and medics.

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Iraqis learn critical behavioral health skills for care of soldiers

Iraqis learn critical behavioral health skills for care of soldiers