Find help for mental health challenges – big or small

Since 1949, May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to bring about greater awareness of psychological health concerns and conditions, to offer support for those who are living with these conditions, and to promote increased access to care and treatment.

LIfe would be easier with super powers – lightning speed to bypass long commutes; super strength to keep from needing help; bullet-proof suits to keep us safe. But sadly, we are mere humans. Some of us are masters of resilience and the rest of us are still learning and need the extra help – and that’s OK. To help tackle what life throws at us, we need good mental health.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the perfect time to learn about the tools that may help you improve your overall mental health. Mental health concerns are common, treatment works and help is available.

The list of Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) resources below, arranged by audience, will direct you to information about mental health concerns, how to improve your mental health, and Military Health System treatment options. With access to helpful resources and information, you don’t need to be a super hero to combat mental health challenges.

Providers:

Deployment Health Clinical Center: offers clinicians in the delivery of post-deployment healthcare by fostering a trusting partnership between service members, veterans, their families, and their healthcare providers in order to ensure the highest quality care

DCoE Website: offers psychological health resources, myths and facts, treatments and resources, and suicide prevention tools
DCoE Webinars: monthly webinars help providers learn the latest mental health information from experts and earn continuing education credit
Sexual Assault Health Care Support for Patients: this new resource helps those who experience a sexual assault understand military health options – and providers may order copies in bulk

Service Members/Veterans:

DCoE Outreach Center: provides 24/7 support to service members, families and providers who have questions and concerns related to psychological health or traumatic brain injury — call 866-966-1020 to connect with a health resource consultant
AfterDeployment: offers a variety of wellness resources for service members, veterans and families to include online assessments and workshops for post-deployment challenges
Breathe2Relax: a mobile application that teaches breathing exercises to help decrease your body's fight-or-flight (stress) response
inTransition: provides behavioral health care support to service members and veterans as they move between health care systems or providers
Real Warriors Campaign: features stories of service members who sought help for psychological health concerns and continue to maintain successful military or civilian careers — as well as information on a variety of military and mental health topics for veterans and families

Family Members:

Moving Forward: a free, online educational and life coaching program that teaches problem-solving skills to help you handle life’s challenges. It’s designed to help service members, veterans and their families
Military Kids Connect: an online community for military children ages 6 to 17 that provides access to age-appropriate resources to support children with the unique challenges of military life
Military Parenting: a free online course that provides military and veteran parents with information and strategies to improve parenting skills

Disclaimer: Re-published content may have been edited for length and clarity.Read original post