What duty stations have the best or most mental health facilities and options?

2021-07-04T18:17:00-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2021 6:47 PM

2021-07-04T18:47:38-04:00

PFC Private RallyPoint Member Can't help you with options, but will share a few thoughts if I may. If you aren't transfering... consider a video visit with a Provider of your choosing (assuming the military allows you that privelege). I did that for 1+ years due to Covid 19. I want you to know that there is a solution to whatever your dealing with. If not from the Medical Community... consider the Faith of your choosing. My God has brought me through stuff I didn't even know was an issue. He can do the same for you if you just believe & give Him a chance.
Good luck wih your Military future & may you find Peace & Joy on a dailey basis!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 4 at 2021 7:42 PM

2021-07-04T19:42:32-04:00

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..

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 5 at 2021 1:28 AM

2021-07-05T01:28:51-04:00

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.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2021 1:52 AM

2021-07-05T01:52:27-04:00

Our brand new Army hospital opens 11 July

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 5 at 2021 6:16 AM

2021-07-05T06:16:39-04:00

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.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 5 at 2021 8:27 AM

2021-07-05T08:27:55-04:00

If you need assistance and aren't getting it, you can certainly also try some other options if you can't move right now.
Give an Hour is a way to connect to professionals who do not charge for services. they are also "invisible" to the military so you can still work on getting transferred or using base mental health. One Source also has some "counseling" like stuff available...be specific but flexible when contacting them. And to second CSM Darieus ZaGara reach out to a chaplain; they are a wonderful resource. They don't have to be your faith group, they are trained pastoral counselors.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2021 9:34 AM

2021-07-05T09:34:34-04:00

Your unit being over strength or not will not affect your ability to move. You're in an OCONUS assignment so you have to stay there until your DEROS unless you receive a curtailment. You don't actually have any valid reason to request a curtailment and if you did, the shortest tour would still be two years for most places. Your PSG also has no ability to affect your PCS. When the time comes you can reenlist for a new duty assignment but that will have a report date of after your current DEROS. You should also be aware that EBH profiles and people under treatment for Mental Health are usually stabilized for six months at their location in order to prevent interruption to their care.

The other choice is a compassionate reassignment. It's commonly understood that the long nights and short days in winter aggravate people's depression, enough that dependents with any history of mental health issues will not be approved for command sponsorship. If your provider feels that you can get better care in a different location, they can recommend that. The compassionate reassignment paperwork is very simple and straightforward. One document to request, endorsed through your O6, and the medical recommendations. It takes a month or less once HRC has the request. If they approve it you can start packing the moment you get orders. I've seen people leave in a week or two.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 5 at 2021 1:11 PM

2021-07-05T13:11:46-04:00

I would contact EMFP. Talk to your doctor and psychologist.

Response by TSgt George Austin made Jul 5 at 2021 3:49 PM

2021-07-05T15:49:34-04:00

Go to Hawaii, Guam, DG. The beach cures everything. Bikinis and beer. What else is there.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 6 at 2021 7:47 AM

2021-07-06T07:47:23-04:00

I wouldn't rely on the potential of you getting orders out of Alaska as your sole option. If you haven't met your time on station requirements that won't go too far.

If you need different Mental Health resources or more frequent appointments work with your local Medical resources to expedite that. Telemedicine is an option you can use even if there isn't something within a local commute.