2ID/RUCD Opens new behavioral health clinic

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cody Harding | CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – Capt. Joseph Dragonetti, a counselor with the Warrior Behavioral Health Clinic, explains some of the functions of the clinic to Maj. Gen. D. Scott McKean, 2nd Infantry Division/Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Barretto, 2ID/RUCD senior enlisted advisor, after the official grand opening of the clinic on Camp Humphreys, June 27. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Cody Harding, 2ID/RUCD Public Affairs)  

PYEONGTAEK, SOUTH KOREA

06.28.2019

Story by Sgt. Ian Vega-Cerezo 

2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division

CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea – The command and staff of 2nd Infantry Division/Republic of Korea-U.S. Combined Division commemorated the opening of the new Warrior Behavioral Health building, June 27, at building 7315 on Camp Humphreys.
The clinic aims to serve the behavioral health needs of 2ID/RUCD and help promote resilience and preparedness for the Soldiers on Camp Humphreys.
“Too often we see behavioral health relegated to a very obscure corner of post and given peculiar names like ‘the cage’ or ‘the barn’, but not today,” said Maj. Rhea Racaza, Warrior Behavioral Health Clinic officer in charge, 2ID/RUCD. “Today we take a step forward together by officially establishing Warrior Behavioral Health, which is centrally located to the majority of Soldiers on Camp Humphreys.”
The Warrior Behavioral Health Clinic first opened its doors to patients in November 2018 and became fully operational in March of 2019.
“Behavioral health is crucial and an integral part of our readiness,” said Capt. Joseph Dragonetti, 2ID/RUCD psychiatrist and Monroe, Connecticut native. “Part of that readiness is having resilience to conduct future operations so if you come across challenges you can stay resilient, keep your cool and perform the mission.”
Asking for help isn’t easy for a lot of Warriors and preconceptions about seeking help impact service members’ choice to do so. Dragonetti and the Warrior Behavioral Health Clinic team seek to educate and hopefully eradicate the stigma.
“There’s definitely a stigma attached to a lot of what we do and it’s important that we work to break down that stigma,” said Dragonetti. “Ignorance breeds fear and helps to perpetuate the stigma. We try and educate people and help them understand that coming here doesn’t negatively affect their career. In fact it helps keep people resilient and ready.”
The Warrior Behavioral Health Clinic offers more than just individual therapy. Group counseling sessions, therapy through virtual encounter, medication management and substance abuse disorder clinical care are all free services provided.
“We’re making behavioral health services more accessible to our brothers and sisters to our left and our right,” said Racaza. “This is the first of many culpable steps to bring competent, empathetic, relevant and integrated health services to our community.”
The behavioral health mission is a key asset to division’s focus on Fight Tonight readiness.
“This clinic and the Warrior Behavioral Health team are a great example of what can be accomplished with teamwork and dedication,” said Col. Jeffrey A. Becker, chief of staff, 2ID/RUCD. “Opening this clinic and making these services easily accessible is a huge victory for us and shows how much can be accomplished when we work together as one team.”

• Date Taken: 06.28.2019
• Date Posted: 06.30.2019 02:45
• Story ID: 329794
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, KR