KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Challenging is one way to describe 2020 with Americans having to adjust the way they do business, working from home, homeschooling children, losing a job, and experiencing social unrest across America; all of this can affect a person’s mental health.
If life may feel out of control, there is a program that can help and provides all Air Force civilian employees and their family members with free counseling as well as resources to help them reach their personal and career goals when life gets difficult.
EAP provides information on job search skills, career counseling, education and training, volunteer opportunities, legal assistance as well as virtual counseling services to improve emotional health.
“No matter if the issue relates to work difficulties, relationship and family conflicts, health, finances, substance use, depression or something else, the EAP can help - 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Nicole Mayzner, 403rd Wing director of psychological health, who assists Reserve Citizen Airmen and their families by providing counseling and referral services to help with resilience and psychological wellness.
The newest service the program provides is called BetterHelp, a virtual counseling and support resource which facilitates face-to-face counseling through a virtual platform, making counseling accessible and convenient to help people when and where they need it to face life’s challenges, said Mayzner.
“This is a great resource for our civilians across the Air Force and provides additional, free access to licensed providers,” she said. “Regardless of your location, BetterHelp will provide access to a live counselor, and Air Force civilians will be able to set up a series of up to six sessions with the same provider per topic allowed under the program.”
The therapy takes place by text messaging, chat, phone or video. The service is available for family members ages 13 and older. Family members under the age of 18 are able to use the service with parental consent. Services are confidential and free to the civilian and family members.
The AF EAP can be reached by phone at 866-580-9078 or visit the website www.AFPC.af.mil/EAP.
Elizabeth Waters, 81st Training Wing community service coordinator, is the Keesler Air Force Base EAP manager. She can be reached at her office number at 228-377-9021 or by cell at 228-348-0053 or by email at elizabeth.waters@us.af.mil.
To contact Mayzner, call her cell at 228-806-0913 or call her office number 228-377-5361 or email nicole.mayzner@us.af.mil for counsel, support, resources, or consultation.
For information on additional helping resources, visit: https://www.403wg.afrc.af.mil/News/Commentaries/Display/Article/2128818/covid-19-supportive-resources-for-wing-members-families/