Posted on Jul 4, 2021
What duty stations have the best or most mental health facilities and options?
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I have being seeing behavioral health for a while now. The facilities are swamped and I've been through several providers already. Off base options are extremely scarce as I am in Alaska.
My unit isn't the best place for me given my situation, and there no place on base where I could be reassigned. In the next month, we will be overstrengthed and it would be easier for me to request a change of station. I think the move would be best for me. I am going to talk with my platoon Sergeant later this week, but I'd like to know some valid options so that I could hopefully have more of a say if this goes forward.
My unit isn't the best place for me given my situation, and there no place on base where I could be reassigned. In the next month, we will be overstrengthed and it would be easier for me to request a change of station. I think the move would be best for me. I am going to talk with my platoon Sergeant later this week, but I'd like to know some valid options so that I could hopefully have more of a say if this goes forward.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
Every base wil have mental health professionals, and if they are overwhelmed you will be referred off base. If your or a loved one needs help call first thing in the a.m. your unit physician will refer you. You can also reach out to the chaplain ( you don’t need to be religious to seek there support) for guidance if you would like a little autonomy. I will add that your unit needs to know as you seek support so that they know what your struggles may be and support the recommended COA from Heath care professionals.
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Preface: I only have what you have posted to work off of. If there are other things going on, I can't account for it in a recommendation
How long is your current overseas assignment (Alaska is considered overseas)? How much of that assignment have you served? Your branch is going to move you when you hit that TOS and you'll have some say in your follow on assignment. That is when the system will move you. Your branch will not want to move you before then unless there is an urgent and compelling reason to move you.
If your treatment facility determines they can no longer treat you with their capabilities, that is a conversation between them and your command where they initiate an out of cycle PCS. I have seen this done twice for a very urgent, compelling and unknown reasons that occurred upon arrival. One was due to altitude related illnesses of a dependent at Carson, the other was a 92F that became hyper allergic to fuel where she was medically evacuated from Korea to Walter Reed followed by a MEB induced Reclass. She almost died because her airway closed upon exposure to fuel fumes. Completely out of the blue.
I am assuming your current condition has not approached the threshold of an MEB.
So bottom line on bottom, if the MTF has capability and capacity to treat you, then you will stay there until you are PCS eligible. By all means communicate with your NCO Support Channel and your chain of command.
If you get a choice, I'd aim your search at a big Army post, like Hood, Bragg, Carson, Campbell as examples as they will have more BH assets as opposed to a smaller post that will have less assets..
How long is your current overseas assignment (Alaska is considered overseas)? How much of that assignment have you served? Your branch is going to move you when you hit that TOS and you'll have some say in your follow on assignment. That is when the system will move you. Your branch will not want to move you before then unless there is an urgent and compelling reason to move you.
If your treatment facility determines they can no longer treat you with their capabilities, that is a conversation between them and your command where they initiate an out of cycle PCS. I have seen this done twice for a very urgent, compelling and unknown reasons that occurred upon arrival. One was due to altitude related illnesses of a dependent at Carson, the other was a 92F that became hyper allergic to fuel where she was medically evacuated from Korea to Walter Reed followed by a MEB induced Reclass. She almost died because her airway closed upon exposure to fuel fumes. Completely out of the blue.
I am assuming your current condition has not approached the threshold of an MEB.
So bottom line on bottom, if the MTF has capability and capacity to treat you, then you will stay there until you are PCS eligible. By all means communicate with your NCO Support Channel and your chain of command.
If you get a choice, I'd aim your search at a big Army post, like Hood, Bragg, Carson, Campbell as examples as they will have more BH assets as opposed to a smaller post that will have less assets..
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Go to Behavioral Health on post and ask about options to see providers via Telehealth. BAMC in San Antonio does a lot of it and while you would have to get on based on their schedule, it could be an option. We have done a good deal of telebehavioral health via google duo and TEAMs is now authorized for patient care.
Remember you can always get help at the nearest emergency room or call 911. If it can wait until next duty day, I highly encourage you to go to your local BH office and inquire about Telehealth with another facility. You have my permission to look me up in outlook.
Remember you can always get help at the nearest emergency room or call 911. If it can wait until next duty day, I highly encourage you to go to your local BH office and inquire about Telehealth with another facility. You have my permission to look me up in outlook.
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