Photo By Spc. Joshua Morris | Capt. Melissa Powers, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with the 328th...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. — Soldiers of the 328th Combat Support Hospital were busy at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, with various training exercises July 31, 2015. The 328th CSH is part of the 139th Medical Brigade, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) from Independence, Missouri.
The 328th CSH’s emergency medical training room and intensive care unit were engaged with large volumes of simulated casualties, all to create real-world scenarios to help train the unit as part of Operation Caucacus Restore, which uses various exercises to train different military organizations around the country. Amongst those sections of the 328th CSH, away from the hectic entrance with the large volume of simulated casualties and located in the very back of the hospital, is the behavior health section.
“We’re averaging about one to three patients a day,” said Capt. Melissa Powers, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with the 328th CSH.
While the numbers aren’t staggering, the behavioral health section is an integral part of everything going on in the hospital.
“We are basically a consult type team,” said Powers. “So when they have a psych patient come in through EMT or psych issues in the hospital like ICW [intermediate care ward] or ICU, then we get consulted and go to see them.”
This is why the behavioral health’s presence is needed in the hospital - often times, patients don’t even know that they are suffering from mental problems or they are too embarrassed to seek out assistance.
“For example, if they have PTSD [post-traumatic stress syndrome], they may come in saying they’re in pain,” said Powers. “But actually it could be masking some of the psychiatric conditions. It’s just one of those things where you present what you’re comfortable with.”
The behavioral health section of the hospital is there to offer more than just a listening ear.
Pfc. Robin Neal, a behavioral health technician with the 328th CSH said, “You can always talk to a battle buddy but sometimes you need more help than just someone listening to you.”
The staff is committed to providing help to those in need psychologically, both in and out of uniform. Most are either working or pursuing a career in behavioral science; simply put, it’s something that they want to do.
“I really love it,” said Pfc. Elizabeth Parry, a behavioral health technician with the 328th CSH. “When I talked to the recruiter he asked me what I like to do and the first thing I said was that I wanted to be a psychologist.”
On top of being passionate about their job, they also welcome those who feel they may be struggling mentally.
“Come even if you don’t want to,” said Neal. “A lot of people think mental problems are embarrassing. Keeping it inside can cause more problems than you already have.”
Those considering seeking help should not let what they’ve heard about mental help mislead them, according to Parry.
“There is a stigma around mental health, that if you go people will think you’re crazy,” said Parry. “Honestly, if you go to behavioral health, you get a lot more support than you think you would.”
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2015 14:12 |
| Story ID: | 171971 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 71 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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