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Mental Health Month

Monday May 5, 2014

What is it?

Behavioral health (BH) encompasses psychological, physical and spiritual wellbeing, and can impact each of these aspects regardless of age, race, religion, or income. It is an important factor in the readiness of the Army. According to a March 2014 review of Army data systems Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS), 6.8 percent of deployed Soldiers have received a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

What has the Army done?

The Army offers an array of BH services in garrison and operational environments to address the strain on Soldiers and families who have experienced multiple deployments and other demands of military life. These services include: Theater Combat and Operational Stress Control, routine behavioral healthcare, periodic assessments, and suicide prevention programs.

The Army is also improving access to care by offering tele-behavioral health services in 51 countries/territories across 19 time zones, allowing Soldiers and family members in remote locations the ability to link to behavioral health providers at different locations. The Army is transforming from a “healthcare system” to a “system for health.”

The behavioral health component of this effort is known as the Behavioral Health Service Line (BHSL) implemented to standardize delivery of behavioral healthcare across the Army to identify, prevent, treat and track behavioral health issues affecting Soldier and beneficiaries. The service line implements enterprise standards to offer Soldiers and families a uniform care experience at all locations with consistent and ready access to behavioral health services provided throughout the Soldier life cycle (initial entry through transition).

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?

In fiscal year 2013 (FY13), the Army Medical Department completed the realignment of existing behavioral health programs, integrating them into 11 clinical programs under a Department of Behavioral Health, which establishes true program standardization with full operating capability for the BHSL scheduled to occur no later than FY16.

Why is this important to the Army?

The Army recognizes that BH is an important part of overall resilience and is committed to providing ongoing training, enhanced assessments and programs that promote increased access to behavioral healthcare and a culture where Soldiers and family members can seek and obtain treatment when needed.

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