The mental health department at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington implemented changes in 2021 to address manning shortfalls and reduce patient wait times. The clinic now has a mental health provider available each day for walk-in appointments and offers various group therapy options. Despite the challenge of only being 60 percent staffed, the team has created six group therapy options, including a unified protocol group, a gender-affirming care group, a commitment therapy group, a sleep group, a written exposure therapy group, and a group for regulating emotions.
In addition to these services, the clinic has partnered with other agencies such as the military family life counselor and the chaplain to provide faster response times for those in need of more one-on-one care. By collaborating with other agencies, the mental health clinic aims to provide care to as many people as possible and work towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
Overall, these changes have significantly improved access to care for patients at Fairchild Air Force Base. Staff Sgt. Joseph Chang, a mental health technician, emphasized that their goal is to treat patients and get them back to their best life. Manning remains a challenge at the clinic, but with collaboration with other agencies and innovative services like group therapy options, they are making progress towards providing comprehensive care for all those who need it.
