Medical health professionals provide traumatic stress response

  • Published
  • By 56th Medical Group mental health
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  Traumatic events can occur at any time or place, and can leave a lasting impression on those involved. Just ask the survivors of hurricane Ike, or the rescue and investigation teams involved in any air disaster.

Being placed in such situations can have serious ramifications and take a toll on those involved.

The 56th Medical Group's Traumatic Stress Response Team at Luke Air Force Base is tasked with ensuring care and support is afforded to military members and others involved in crises or stressful situations.

Recently the TSR team combined with the 56th MDG's Crisis Response Team to increase efficiency and better serve those in need.

1st Lt. Tisha Cornett, 56th MDG chief of the Mental Health Element, heads the TSR team. Lieutenant Cornett, along with other mental health providers, assists first responders with
family emergency situations during potentially traumatic events, as well as air or ground mishaps involving loss of life or major injuries.

In addition to the mental health professionals the team consists of behavioral health technicians, an Airman and Family Readiness Flight community readiness consultant, a chaplain and chaplain's assistant.

Beyond the immediate response role, the TSR team also conducts pre-exposure preparation training. Community education on the functions of the TSR team is accomplished through briefings to individual flights and published articles.

"Mental health staffs are tasked with educating active duty members on what to expect when they are exposed to a potentially traumatic event," said Lieutenant Cornett. "This includes typical stress responses, effective coping strategies for dealing with stress and trauma, and when and where to seek professional assistance. The team mobilized to the scene of last March's F-16 Fighting Falcon crash, and helped rescue workers, accident investigators and others on-scene in dealing with the trauma of the event, on-site.

"Many took advantage of the help by talking about the experience and sorting out their feelings with professional mental health providers," said Michael Smith, 56th MDG mental health technician. "No records were kept during those meetings."

The mental health clinic, formerly life skills center, is located in building 317. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m., to 4:30 p.m. excluding holidays and down days. A mental health provider is on-call during non-duty hours for emergency consultation and is accessible through the command post. For more information, call (623) 856-7579.