Wingmen concept promotes good mental health

By Capt. Sean Hoyer
440th AW Mental Health

Welcome to Pope Air Force Base and the 440th Airlift Wing. As the mental health officer for the 440th, I have several roles that support you and your mission to provide combat airlift anywhere, anytime.

I serve as a consultant to the Col. Merle D. Hart, wing commander, on issues related to the mental health and wellness of the Wing. I offer input to vice commander, group and squadron commanders on issues related to their members and the functioning of their units. I provide support and consultation to first sergeants in their role as the enlisted resource within a Unit. I provide assessment and recommendations to the doctors when they encounter someone who may need emotional or mental health support during the annual physical exam process. Most importantly, I engage individual Airmen in developing coping skills and encourage them to be supportive wingmen to each other.

This concept of wingmen is something you have probably heard about. The idea of supporting each other, looking out for each other, developing relationships with those you work with is a natural part of the job. You will see each other in your duty sections or around base and catch up on what you have been doing the previous months. You’ll share stories and updates about work, Family and life. The ups and downs. The challenges and celebrations.

Each of you, better than a supervisor, a commander, the chaplain, or I will know what is going on in each others’ lives. You will know whether someone is struggling with a problem or needs support because you will see them every month and talk about what is going on in your lives. It is not a mandatory briefing but a natural part of developing relationships with your coworkers,
We have all been there. We are usually the first to know we are stressed, but the last to know what to do about it. That is where we, as wingmen come in. You are the eyes and ears for each other. You know when you have heard someone tell a story over the course of a few unit training assemblies that things don’t seem to be getting better. You are the one your co-worker needs to say to them, “Hey, this seems like a problem that is getting too big or too out of control. Have you talked to your supervisor, or your first sergeant, or the chaplain, or mental health?” Those are the things that you can do to support your colleague get the additional support they may need in this situation.

If the person doesn’t feel comfortable speaking with any of the resources on base, there is always Military OneSource available 24/7, the operators are trained to offer support and can get you the resources you need. Military OneSource can help with so many things: tax preparation, relocation, financial planning, spouse employment, and short-term counseling. These services are confidential and free to you and your dependents as a military member. No one finds out you have called. The only thing the wing commander is informed of is how many individuals identified themselves as 440th members. Last year close to 300 members from this wing contacted Military OneSource for a variety of concerns.

The 440th welcomes you and is glad that you have chosen to be part of something spectacular. We all have stresses in life but we also have resiliencies. We are wingmen to each other — to look out for each other and there are resources on base and through Military OneSource that are available to us for any issue, at any time.

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