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Looking after emotional well-being of Tinker Airmen

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  • By Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --   The Tinker Air Force Base Mental Health Flight consists of a number of specialized mental health care services offered to Tinker AFB personnel.

The Mental Health Flight apply themselves to work in many different capacities. Not only the Mental Health Clinic, but also the Family Advocacy Program, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment and the Drug Demand Reduction Program.

Many of the outreach and prevention programs are available to Tinker AFB civilian employees, retirees and family members, not just active duty Airmen. In addition, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, provides 24-hour immediate response services on base.

"Our program benefits a variety of people by holding weekly sessions, for things like: stress management, designed to teach a variety of techniques useful in the management of job, family, or other life stressors. Anger management, designed to teach better ways of expressing and reducing feelings of anger," said Olga Simons, Mental Health Flight commander.

"Healthy thinking helps people to challenge distorted thinking patterns and get their thinking working for them instead of against them to improve their behaviors and mood. The clinic also offers individual and marital therapy," she said.

Even though the Mental Health Flight offers several programs available for military and civilians, only active duty personnel are able to take advantage of the Mental Health Clinic.

"We are available to promote readiness, health and wellness through prevention education and treatment of mental health issues. Minimize the negative consequences of mental health disorders for the individual, family and organization. We provide comprehensive education and treatment to individuals and families experiencing problems attributed to mental health issues. Our goal is to assist active duty members identified with mental health or substance abuse problems return to unrestricted duty or assist them in their transition to civilian life, as appropriate," said Ms. Simons. For more information contact the clinic at 734-4393.