An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

386th EMDG hosts Holistic Health Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Stoltz
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Deployments can be stressful for service members, but the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group looked to help relieve some of that stress by hosting the Holistic Health Day, held May 26, 2018, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

“The Holistic Health Fair was created with the intention to unite our service members here with helping agencies, community providers, organizations, and other health entities,” said Capt. Anne Rose Alve, 386th EMDG mental health officer-in-charge and event coordinator. “The event also provided guests an opportunity to learn more about the aspects of their physical, spiritual, mental, social and emotional health.”

Several informational booths were available at the fair, and included representatives from the 386th EMDG, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing staff agencies, U.S. Army Behavorial Health Combat Operational Stress Control, Army Occupational Therapy, United Service Organization Arifjan and Red Cross Arifjan.

“Many people forget there are different medical and ancillary services here,” said Staff Sgt. Gregory Johnson, 386th EMDG dental services non-commissioned officer in charge and event attendee. “The event helped serve as a reminder that there are services and help here for them, even while deployed.”

The fair also provided event-goers the opportunity to win prizes by participating in various events to include a relay race, basketball jump-shot competition, and a push-up contest.

Although it may have seemed like mostly fun and games to the attendees, the health fair provided an opportunity for personnel here to network with their peers – many of them who experience the same challenges during their deployment.

“There are a lot of things that we may not have control of while we are here,” said Alve. “Living conditions, long shifts, mission-related emergencies, being away from our families and friends, and other deployment-specific items may affect our health and well-being. However, when we successfully adapt or cope positively with these challenges, we actually become more resilient and we grow as individuals, Airmen, and professionals.”