MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- “If you want to become stronger in the face of adversity, if you want to become uncomfortable, you should begin by taking responsibility for who you are and for your life.”
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, spoke these words addressing mental health resiliency. At MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, there awaits a team of caring and enthusiastic social workers at the Mental Health Clinic. They want to turn lives around, help individuals build stronger relationships, and help people to become the best version of themselves.
“We help people who are usually at one of the lowest points in their life,” said Capt. Robert D Walden, a licensed clinical social worker assigned as the family advocacy officer at the 6th Medical Group. “We call it the helping profession. We’re always helping people by providing services directly to the individuals, or by connecting them to other agencies or resources that can help them.”
Social workers are clinical professionals who specialize in many different areas. On base, social workers are primarily found providing mental health therapy, addressing alcohol or drug abuse, and working in family advocacy. They promote readiness through education, and are ready to react if there is a disaster. Every day, they respond to struggles and challenges directly involving individuals and families.
“Families in crisis are most of our work,” said Ellen David, LCSW, a family advocacy treatment manager with the 6th MDG. “We deal with a lot of difficult issues, but the flip side of it is that we get to see people get better. We see families heal.”
According to Walden, the social workers on the base understand how intimidating it may be to visit mental health because of the stigma associated with it, and the impact that it could have on their career. Walden explained that the goal is to help people get back on track so they can enjoy a long, healthy career within the military.
“I saw the unique challenges that our service members face while I was enlisted in the Marines, and then the Army,” said Walden. “I chose a career as a military social worker because I want to support the people in the military who are making sacrifices for our country.”
Building resiliency can prepare military service members to overcome personal crisis and challenges of all kinds.
“When I first begin working with someone I often start with discussing resiliency,” said Walden. “You begin building resiliency by taking care of yourself; by improving your diet, sleep, and exercise. Then work on having better social interactions, and ensure you’re challenging yourself with positive intellectual stimulation.”
“The Air Force is well on its way to doing its part to build resilient airmen, you just have to use the resources we have available,” said Wright. “No one escapes pain, escapes fear, escapes suffering, yet from pain comes wisdom, from fear can come courage and from suffering can come strength—If we have the virtue of resilience.”
The primary resources for those seeking support for mental health concerns or marriage/ family counseling at MacDill AFB include: Military and Family Readiness Center, chaplain, Behavioral Health Outpatient Program at Flight Medicine, and Military One Source. The mental health clinic can be reached at (813) 827-9170.