Mental health helps Airmen cope with deployment, holiday blues Published Dec. 4, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Savannah 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- When an Airman starts wiping tears with facial tissue instead of wrapping gifts in tissue paper, or is feeling blue because the primary color he or she sees is tan, where can they go for relief? The 380th Expeditionary Medical Group mental health team can help 380th Air Expeditionary Wing members with their stress and anxiety, at any time. "I think anybody can benefit from therapy or extra support, especially in a deployed location," said Maj. Richard Barker, 380th EMDG mental health psychologist. The mental health clinic offers individual therapy or group sessions to manage issues ranging from depression and anxiety, to daily stressors including work-related problems or adjusting to the deployed location. The team also offers sleep hygiene, stress management and anger management classes. Barker said resources like the mental health clinic and wing chaplains can help provide support to Airmen in the deployed environment, which is especially important during the holidays. "Transitioning here, or even transitioning back, around the holidays can be a very difficult, stressful time," said Barker, a Phoenix native deployed from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. Barker said the biggest thing people can do to help cope with the stress of being deployed during the holiday is to try to connect with the holiday spirit as much as possible. "Get involved with unit activities; you might be able to help spruce up the area with some holiday decorations," he said. "Or get involved with the chaplains because they usually do a lot around this time of the season." "They (deployed leaders) go to a lot of effort in these locations to bring us all together as a family, and that's so we don't feel so disconnected from our families," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Bippen, 380th EMDG mental health technician. "Try to take advantage of the support." Barker said staying connected with friends and family at home is also very important. "It's important to stay connected as much as possible and try to stay as much involved with the holiday season back home," the major said. "Enjoy that your family and friends are enjoying that time, and (don't) let the feelings of jealousy or being away overwhelm you." Bippen said the mental health team is available for those who still need help. "If you're feeling that disconnect, that loneliness, then come talk to us so we can help point you in the right direction, give you some skills, and help you deal with being away during the holidays," said Bippen, a Riverview, Fla., native deployed from MacDill AFB, Fla. Barker said New Year's resolutions are also a great way for deployed Airmen to cope with being deployed, and the mental health clinic offers tobacco cessation classes for those who resolve to quit tobacco use. "With New Year's coming up, everybody tries to start or stop something in a deployed location," Barker said. "Tobacco cessation's a great one." The clinic team offers four-session individual or group classes in the clinic office, or the team can even meet with people at their units. In addition to the classes, the team offers patches and gum, and can refer patients to the main clinic for prescription medication. "We work with the patients who are looking to stop their tobacco use," Bippen said. "We work with them to put it all together and work on the whole picture, so (they're) not just dealing with no longer using cigarettes, but (also with) the behavioral aspects and the emotional aspect that goes along with it." The major said working out or accomplishing civilian or professional military education are other goals Airmen can achieve. "Getting into ... something that helps with overall stress keeps your mind busy and active, but also makes you feel like you've got some fulfillment (from) your deployment," Barker said. "I encourage folks to do that."