COVID-19: Supportive resources for wing members, families

  • Published
  • By Ms. Nicole Mayzner
  • 403rd Wing Director of Psychological Health

For many people this is a time of uncertainty and isolation. For those who may need assistance, there are several resources and individuals available to help you and your family during this time. I have included the 403rd Wing Resource Chart for you to reference which services are able to assist unit members based on the issue at hand. Although many of these resources may be on telework status, it does not change their availability or willingness to help or the resources and information they can offer. Here is a breakdown of different programs available.

DIRECTORS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH (DPH):
At present, I am available for you all via phone at 228-806-0913 and email for counsel, support, resources, or consultation.  In addition, video counseling is easy to conduct and available.

Also, attached is a list of DPHs as some of you may be geographically closer to another base’s DPH during this time of limited movement.  For the current time, the option to contact the closest DPH to you for localized resources and services is available as well. Also, you can still reach out to me for localized resources. We are all available to assist with an unlimited amount of military and civilian issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, family conflict, alcohol and drug related issues, deployment stress, marriage and relationships, and anger management.  We are an off-record source for you all as long as you are not imminent risk to self or others.

MILITARY ONESOURCE: 
Military OneSource is committed to providing service members and military families everywhere with up-to-date information, resources and answers regarding the impact of COVID-19 on military life. Some of the ways Military OneSource is available to assist include:  As of March 24, free non-medical video counseling is available for children and youth to assist with any of them in feeling overwhelmed during this situation.

- A section on their website at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/coronavirus for Department of Defense-related coronavirus updates and impacts.
- The Military OneSource call center remains available 24-hours a day, every day, for personalized support. Call at 1-800-342-9647. If overseas, calling options can be found at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/international-calling-options.  
- Financial Counseling 
- Access to Resilience Tools, such as Coach Hub, Moodhacker, and Love Every Day

This can be a demanding time. If you are feeling stressed, counseling services remain available by phone, video and online. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-342-9647 or live chat through the website at https://livechat.militaryonesourceconnect.org/chat.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP):
For Air Force civilians - including non-appropriated funds, or NAF, employees; Guard and Reserve; and family members - the Employee Assistance Program is available at no charge to provide coaching towards goals, confidential nonmedical counseling, digital cognitive behavioral applications, learning center with various resources, and access to search for local providers or preferred providers from this program, EAP providers, and telehealth providers.The EAP provides access to resources 24/7 via phone or website and, also, has recently added new service of a virtual therapy platform called, BetterHelp. Family members 13 and up are able to receive services from BetterHelp but dependents under the age of 18 require parental consent. Call 866-580-9078 or www.AFPC.AF.MIL/EAP.  

PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH ADVOCACY PROGRAM (PHAP)
Via telephone, the Psychological Health Advocacy Program team is available to provide psychological health referral services to Air Force reservists and their families to include referral information, follow-up of services rendered, and assistance to Air Force Reserve Command installation leaders with mental health issues. The PHAP Team is not authorized to counsel, diagnose, or treat any person requesting assistance. The PHAP 24-hour message line is 1-866-417-0707.  

- South Region PHAP - Phone: (678) 655-2464/ DSN: 625-2464
- North Region PHAP - Phone: (937) 656-1709/ DSN: 986-1709
- West Region PHAP - Phone: (707) 424-2704/ DSN: 837-270

CHAPLAIN SERVICES:
Members are encouraged to reach out to the chaplain's office at any time, both during the Unit Training Assembly (UTA) and outside of normal duty periods. Conversations with chaplains are privileged communications. During this time, you can contact command post at 228-377-4330 to be connected to 403rd Chaplains, and, on UTAs, you can reach 403rd Chaplains at 228-377-0400.  If you need an encouraging word for the day or want to talk to the 81st Training Wing Chaplain, call the Keesler Chapel Hotline at 228-376-PRAY (7729). 

MILITARY FAMILY LIFE COUNSELORS (MFLC): 
MFLCs are available to provide short-term, non-medical counseling support for a range of issues including: relationships, crisis intervention, stress management, grief, occupational and other individual and family issues. For individuals residing or located in Mississippi, you can call to schedule appointment with one of the Keesler MFLCs at 228-355-2980 or 228-355-2065. If you are located out of state, call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 to speak with a counselor.

AIRMEN AND FAMILY READINESS (A&FRC):
The mission of Airman and Family Readiness is to provide individuals, family members and leadership with programs and services which strengthen communities, promote self-sufficiency, enhance readiness, and promote adaptation to the military way of life. At present, A&FRC is open by appointment and for telephone or email consult Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 228-376-8728. Contact Patricia Jackson, 403rd A&FRC, at 1-228-376-8253, for more information.

FAMILIES OVERCOMING UNDER STRESS (F.O.C.U.S)
Families Overcoming Under Stress offers nonmedical counseling services available for couples or families to provide support with strengthening relationships, managing conflicts, improving communication, providing resiliency training, and a variety of other issues. During this time, F.O.C.U.S is available for telehealth counseling services. For more information about the FOCUS program, visit www.focusproject.org. To set up an appointment, call at 228-377-3453 or via email at keesler@focusproject.org. A webinar resource is available at https://vimeo.com/398064435/9af9074910 on “Leading the Way, Parenting in the Face of the Unexpected and Unknown: Responding to COVID-19.”

PERSONAL FINANCIAL COUNSELOR:
Free of cost to assist with financial resources and counseling during these difficult times, you can contact Joan Johnson at (228) 213-7120 or PFC.Keesler.USAF@zeiders.com

UNITED WAY COVID-19 COMMUNITY ECONOMIC RELIEF FUND:
United Way is offering to assist those in need due to the COVID-19 situation by helping with bills, rent, and food. Call 1-866-211-9966 and provide your local zip code, and they will provide a list of local agencies able to provide the assistance.

GULFPORT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM’S STRESS AND ANXIETY HOTLINE:
The Gulfport Behavioral Health System’s Stress and Anxiety Hotline opened March 27 for Gulf Coast area residents and will operate 24-hours a day throughout the COVID-19 situation. The line is answered by trained social workers and therapists who will provide tips, techniques and resources to help people alleviate the stress and anxiety they may be experiencing during the pandemic. The number is 228-236-2236.

COPING WITH STRESS DURING AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK:
When you hear, read, or watch news about an outbreak of an infectious disease such as COVID-19, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress—even when the outbreak affects people far from where you live and you are at low or no risk of getting sick. These signs of stress are normal, and may be more likely or pronounced in people with loved ones in parts of the world affected by the outbreak. In the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress, and know when to get help. For the full information sheet, please visit: https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4885.pdf

CDC GUIDANCE ON MANAGING ANXIETY AND STRESS DURING COVID-19:
The outbreak of COVID-19 may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention site at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fcoping.html. The website is updated frequently as the pandemic situation changes.

This list is not all inclusive of the resources available, but it is provided to offer some of the many options available. If any additional resources are needed or any questions regarding resources, please feel free to reach out to me via email nicole.mayzner@us.af.mil or cell phone at 228-806-0913.

I hope everyone is keeping safe during this time, and I look forward to seeing you all in the future when we are able to get back to normal routines safely.