FORTHOOD, Texas -- The 3rd Brigade Combat Teams' Embedded Behavioral Health Clinic has experienced a great deal in the short period since its inception just over one year ago.
Throughout that time, clinic staff said they were pleased by the number of Soldiers walking into the clinic to learn about wide range of services offered there.
"Soldiers seek help for any concerns that are or could have negative impact on their ability to function at home or work," said Dr. Eliud Faz-Guevara, a psychiatrist at the embedded health clinic. "Common issues are relationship and family problems, stress at work, unresolved issues from combat and concerns related to possible mental health concerns."
Located on Old Ironsides Avenue and 56th Street, the clinic and its staff - who recently celebrated their one-year anniversary - are surrounded by 3rd Brigade "Greywolf" Soldiers whom welcomed them into their pack.
"We are invited to do [physical training] with them, all the time," said Dr. Cynthia Brown, a clinical social worker and psychologist with the clinic. "We feel like we are part of the family."
The clinic is there to help the brigade's Soldiers, whether it's encouraging them to be proactive about finding help or building relationships in the community.
"The goals of the clinic are to continue fostering relationships with the command team, to combat stigma about seeking and receiving mental health care, and to develop working relationships with additional resources on the installation and in the community to best help the Soldiers in the brigade," said Maj. David Sensiba, the behavioral health officer for the clinic.
Over the past year, the clinic's staff worked with an average of 680 Soldiers a month assisting with various issues such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention and anger management.
To receive support from the clinic, Soldiers can either self-enroll or can be command referred. Families can also play an important role in assisting Soldiers struggling with depression, stress or any other types of problems, according to social workers.
"Friends, Families and coworkers can support Soldiers by encouraging them to visit the clinic to talk with someone when they identify a concern or observe changes that may prompt concern," said Heather Ragsdale, clinical social worker. "Referrals are commonly received by concerned spouses."
The clinic offers also group sessions where Soldiers can go to talk to others who are experiencing similar problems. Some examples of topics for group sessions include PTSD, emotional regulation, or women's support.
As part of the process, between enrolling and attending their first session, Soldiers are entered into an introduction to therapy class. This class is designed to help prepare them for counseling, allowing them to into sessions with a better understanding of what is affecting them, and learn to establish goal-setting techniques.
The psychologists and social workers said that they know and understand the unique challenges that Soldiers go through, both at home or work.
"The stress experienced in providing the behavioral health care does not match the stress and sacrifices experienced by the Soldiers," said Brown. "It is rewarding to know that we can support and give back to the Soldiers who endure physical and mental hardships as part of wearing the uniform."
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