Photo By Lt.j.g. Ronan Williams | SAN DIEGO (Oct. 3, 2022) – The EMH building is the new mental health facility for...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – The Embedded Mental Health (EMH) building held its inauguration ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 3.
The EMH building is the new mental health facility for Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) operational Sailors, with an overarching goal to give active duty personnel fast and quality access to mental health care, provide consultation to triads, and training for
medical personnel and crews.
Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, CNSP was the guest speaker at the ceremony. “Today marks an important milestone in opening the first Embedded Mental Health Center on the waterfront dedicated to supporting the Surface Force,” said Vice Adm. Roy Kitchener, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Our most important asset is our Sailor. When we talk about readiness, it’s not just warfighting readiness; it’s also psychological readiness. This building demonstrates our commitment to the readiness of our Sailors to provide them with resources and tools to thrive and stay in the fight.”
The significance of having this program with easy accessibility and proximity to ships on the waterfront is that it contributes to Sailor readiness by increasing access to trained mental health specialists both at EMH, and when necessary, referrals to private practices clinics.
When CNSP waterfront Sailors arrive at EMH, they have opportunities to speak with specialists with cultural competence, who understand the unique challenges and aspects of the Surface Navy.
“We care for our own,” said Capt. Tara Smith, Force Mental Health Officer for CNSP. “Surface mental health teams know the challenges our Sailors face and apply their expertise to help Surface Warriors get better.”
The EMH building is currently open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST). Sailors have access to a variety of services and can access resources including individual mental health assessments, diagnoses, treatment, group classes and therapy, medication evaluations and management, safety assessments, training for shipboard medical teams for chaplains and crews, nonmedical counseling, and crisis response.
The EMH clinic team is planning for expanded support. They aim to implement extended care hours, expand clinic staff, and host a commanding officer and triad group that will provide a space for leaders to get their mental health questions addressed, share best practices to support the crews, peer support, and expert perspectives about mental health challenges.
The mission of CNSP is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.
For more news from CNSP, visit https://www.surfpac.navy.mil/.
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.04.2022 16:48 |
| Story ID: | 430706 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,004 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Embedded Mental Health Building Now Available on the Waterfront in San Diego, by Karli Yeager, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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