Photo By Staff Sgt. Ricardo Branch | Sgt. Christopher Wiederhold, a behavioral health specialist assigned to 98th Medical...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq – In the Army, a soldier swears an oath to serve and defend the constitution of the United States of America. Throughout their commitment to fulfill this oath, soldiers can experience numerous challenges, most easily overcome through strength and bonds between fellow soldiers and “battle buddies.”
The Army recognized deployed soldiers sometimes find themselves overwhelmed by compounding issues ranging from the routine stressors of everyday life to the hardships of deployment, and once soldiers reach that point, they are going to need help.
Answering the Army’s call to keep its soldiers fit physically, mentally and spiritually, a trained detachment of behavioral health specialists deployed to Contingency Operating Base Warhorse to help soldiers.
“We’re here to keep soldiers in the fight,” said Sgt. Christopher Wiederhold, a behavioral health specialist assigned to 98th Medical Detachment, based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. “This is to augment and enhance all of a unit’s capabilities, because we’re keeping soldiers focused and able to continue doing what they need to accomplish the mission.”
Wiederhold, from Austin, Texas, said his team has seen approximately 60 patients in the two weeks since they arrived to COB Warhorse, deployed to northern Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
“I’ve seen a broad range of issues here, but most are in one of three categories: sleep, relationships or combat and operational stress control,” he explained. “It’s been pretty steady, but that’s okay because we’re here to help.”
The behavioral health team operates within the confines of the aid station for any individual serving at the base or operating sites in 2nd AAB’s operating environment, said Capt. John Gilbert, a licensed clinical psychologist and the Behavioral Health Team officer in charge.
“Soldiers can come see us anytime,” said Gilbert, who hails from Chicago.
When a soldier seeks behavioral health counsel, he sits down with one of two sergeants on duty, who listen to the individual’s concerns, said Gilbert.
Following the initial screening, the individual is counseled and provided with tools to help them cope and overcome their obstacles, which successfully works for a majority of the clients, he explained.
Behavioral health specialists monitor stress levels and teach relaxing and coping techniques for everyday work to individuals requiring follow-on care, have their stress levels monitored, are taught relaxing and coping techniques for every day work, to include education, therapy, and medication, Wiederhold said.
The methods used by the behavioral health team vary based on the individual.
Most service members prefer to talk out their concerns, moving on their way when they feel better, said Wiederhold.
“It’s been pretty rewarding thus far,” Wiederhold said. “Most clients are real appreciative of just having the opportunity to unwind and get something off their chest to someone not in their immediate circle.”
The work of the behavioral health team acts as a force multiplier much like a medic in today’s Army, he said.
“Often soldiers are given tasks, which are filled with challenges to accomplish,” Wiederhold explained. “When things get difficult, soldiers get told to suck it up, but they never tell you how to suck it up … our focus is to teach you how to deal with it.”
Since the start of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, many soldiers transitioned from accomplishing their duties in the confines of an office to serving in frontline positions, challenging environments ranging from austere outposts to large operating bases.
Army behavioral health specialists also deploy to the locations to provide valuable frontline behavioral health care for soldiers, like medics provide medical care to the wounded, said Lt. Col. Roger Gelperin, brigade surgeon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.
“It’s relatively new to have them so far forward for operations here,” said Gelperin. “It’s been something that’s been addressed for quite some time … it’s better for [the soldier] to be as close to his unit as possible when he’s receiving care.”
When a soldier is removed from his unit and receives care at another location, they often are rolled up in care away from their primary NCO and officer support chains, said Gelperin, from San Antonio.
“The behavioral health team bridges the gap between the health providers and [the soldier],’’ he explained. “Many on the team are seasoned soldiers and can relate better to the everyday soldiers, which in turn helps the service member adapt and overcome to accomplish the mission.”
Gelperin said despite long hours and an ever-changing operating environment, the soldiers of the behavioral health team strive to provide the best care possible for the soldiers and personnel of the 2nd AAB, 25th Inf. Div.
| Date Taken: | 03.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2011 02:49 |
| Story ID: | 67954 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 167 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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