Joint Base Journal Vol. 3, No. 19 May 11,2012 News and information for and about the premier Joint Base and its region www.facebook.com/jointbase JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab Combating depression and suicide is everyone's business BYSTAFF SGT.BRITTANY E. JONES JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. -Overthe past decade,the war in the Middle East has called more than 2million U.S. service members to duty from across the globe.Many of these members haveseen pain, suffer- ing and death, or haveexperienced their owntraumatic in- cidents. AU.S. Army Public Health Command study shows an 80 percent increase in the rates of suicide among soldiers since 2004. Suicide rates aren't the only numbers on the rise,depression, anxiety and other mental health condi- tions areincreasing as well. The 579th Medical Group mental health clinic located at JBAB is available to provide services to activeduty mem- bers. The mental health clinic staff provides comprehensive caretosupporteach patient's specific and unique needs. Formoreinformation or to make an appointment call 202- 767-0611. In addition to providing mental health services,the 579th MDG also offers an Alcohol and Drug Abuse Preven- tion and Treatment (ADAPT)program that supports active duty service members with drug and alcohol problems. ADAPT staff members provide treatment plans and reha- bilitation to assist patients on the road to sobriety.Addi- tionally,the staff works with each patient to ensurethey havethe best chances of success. The JBAB chapel is another agency available to provide help for those in need. "Itisnot unusual to experience a'darknight of the U.S. AIR FORCE GRAPHIC BY BRITTANY E. JONES soul'," Ch. (Lt. Col) Mark Campbell, JBAB senior installa- one-on-one counseling. Campbell added that this in- Davenportand ateam of volunteers will introduce tion Chaplain said. "When the depression persists,get cludes scheduled counseling when the situation permits, "Ending the Silence," an education program for high help.Chaplains and chaplain assistants areheretohelp. and drop-in counseling for urgent matters.Members can school students about howtorecognizesigns and symp- We will workwith issues that affect mental, spiritual, and contactchapel staff at 202-767-5900 or call202-439-4243 toms of mental illness.The class will be held at the JBAB physical aspects of life.You areguaranteed full confiden- after duty hours. Youth Center,May 11 at 6:30 p.m. tiality when youseek achaplain for counseling. " Another agency offering help,resources and counseling "Do not be afraid to ask for and receivehelp," Daven- Campbell said members do not need to haveareligious is the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). portsaid. affiliation to receiveservices from the chapel staff. Camp- "I really believeineducation. Thereissomuch misin- NAMI-DC offers support, education and resources for bell said his best piece of advice for someone battling de- formation out thereand it can make mental illness so families,friends and individuals affected by mental illness. pression, suicidal thoughts or post traumatic stress disor- much worse for everyone involved," Jill SheppardDaven- All classes and resources areoffered free of charge.For fur- der is,"Don't go it alone.Seek aWingman or Shipmate. port, NAMI boardofdirector's member,said. "Just like ther information about NAMI resources visit Hopelessness and afalse sense of needing to bear the with any other illness,early intervention is so important - weight of aburden alone keep us stuck." the outcomes aremuch better if people startrehabilitating Chaplains arealways available and ready to provide as soon as possible." See DEPRESSION,Page2 INSIDE Ace on Deck: Staff The season is here JBABswimteam Sgt. Anna Oluich foroutdoor seeks membersfor recreation upcoming season Page2 Page3 Page6 2 Friday,May 11,2012 JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING Joint Base Journal Staff Sgt. Anna Oluich What's your favorite color? $1 million? My favorite color is light blue. Iwould place partofitinsav- ings,goonatripand startacharity What's your favorite candy? for wounded veterans and their Chocolate families. What is your favorite quote? Whoinspires you, and why? "Bethe change that youwish to It isn't one person in particular, U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY SENIOR AIRMAN STEELE C. G. BRITTON see in the world," by Mahatma but our nation's wounded warriors StaffSgt. Anna Oluich, 579thMedical Operations Squadron Non-Commissioned Officer in ChargeofMental Ghandi. who inspireme. They fight back Health, is this week's Ace on Deck forJoint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Oluich waschosen by her leadership forher from their injuries and remind me positive attitude and dedicationtothe JBAB team. She oversees theday to day operations forastaff of three If you could haveany super howprecious life is. power, what would it be and why? providersand two technicians including theduties of patient care, outreach and prevention and teaching aware- Iwould like the powertofly be- What is your best military ness classes. Oluich hails from Frederick, Md. cause it would be interesting to have memory? abird's eyeview of earth and travel- My best memoryismydeploy- to apartofthe militarynot many bers.Being able to help our war- What do you want people to ing would be much easier. ment to Afghanistan. Iwas attached people get to experience.Itraveled riors directly in acombat zone is the knowabout you? with an Army unit as their mental throughout Afghanistan, talking highlight of my career. Ireally enjoyworking with and What would you do if you won health technician and was exposed with and helping our militarymem- helping people. DEPRESSION Care for your buddy "When Iwas atraining manager for Se- alittle too long to bounce back and under- -Calmly control the situation, do not curity Forces in Germany,Ibriefed suicide stand that it's OK to seek help. n Continued from 1 use force,and be safe. prevention, and in the briefing Iwould "I'vebecome moreresilient as the years -Activelylistentoshowunderstanding sharemyown struggles with depression," havepassed, but Idoknowthere's ahelp- www.namidc.orgorcall 1-800-950-6864 andproduce relief Parrish said. "Following my ownexperi- ing hand extended out to me," Parrish said. (NAMI). -Remove any means that could be used ences Iwould let people knowwho to con- "I just havetobestrong enough to reach Another acronym to remember that could for self-injury tact for help." out and accept the help." possibly savesomeone's life is ACE. The ACE Escortyour buddy Parrish recalls after one particular brief- Thereare many avenues and resources Suicide Intervention Training Program, devel- -Never leaveyour buddy alone ing, another Air Forcemember told her she available for those in need. All levels of oped by the U.S. Army Public Health Com- -Escorttochain of command, chap- shouldn't sharethat partofher life be- leadership in the Department of Defense mand, is listed in the Suicide Prevention Re- lain, behavioral health professional, or pri- cause it made her appear weak. arededicated to suicide prevention and source Center and American Foundation Best marycareprovider "I disagreed, it showedthat I'm hu- taking actions to prevent futureU.S. serv- Practice Registryfor Suicide Prevention. -Call the National Suicide Prevention man," Parrish said. "Weall sway in the ebb ice members and their dependents from Lifeline by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) and flowoflife,and for some it takes alittle taking their ownlives. ACE: Ask, Care and Escort Tech. Sgt. Ami Parrish, JBAB Public longer to get back to normal after hitting a To conduct an anonymous,online self- Askyour buddy WorksDepartment unit training manager, lowspot." assessment visit www.militarymental- -Ask directly "Areyou thinking of killing reached out for help when she was feeling Parrish believes that it shows tremen- health.org. To download additional re- yourself?" depressed. dous strength to recognizethat it's taking sources visit phc.amedd.army.mil/home. U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SENIOR AIRMAN STEELE C. G. BRITTON U.S. NAVY GRAPHIC BY WILLIAM WILSON JointBase Journal JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING Friday,May 11,2012 3 The season is here for outdoor recreation BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA- BOLLING, D.C. -- Boating and camping. They aretwo ways for any individual, group or family to enjoynature. Avid outdoorsmen and novices also agree that things can go wrong if one's not too care- ful. The season is upon us where many outdoor enthusiasts start taking to thewatersand thebest hiking trails and campgrounds in andaroundthe Washington, D.C. area. Sara Drake,who lives in Alexandria,Va., is on that list. That is when she's not busy helping others with their outdoor adven- tures. Drake is outdoor recreation di- rector for Joint Base Anacostia- Bolling's Outdoor Recreation Cen- ter.She said it's really important for people to be awareofthe weather beforegoing out on the water.Weather plays abig role in outdoor activities and she said it's achallenge controlling aboat wheretheremay be high winds - regardless of someone's experi- ence as an operator. "Ifthe weather is really bad, or visibility is an issue,wewill not let any of our boats out. Safety is first and foremost," Drake said. "We U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. MICHAEL V. WALTERS also get small craft advisories and Fishermen take advantageofsunny skies during summer weather.Aswarmer days stay around in coming months, outdoor recreation activities will be will followthe weather