More resources available to Airmen

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Members of the Air Force Reserve Psychological Health Advocate Program attended a pre-deployment briefing and hosted an information table at the community activity center, here during the April Unit Training Assembly.

"PHAP is a free and confidential resource provider," said PHAP Outreach Specialist Pamela Boyd. "Just think of us as a big tool box--anything and everything out there that can help our reservists and families--that's what we are," said Boyd. "Everything we do is free, we will get you services that have little to no cost to you and we will ensure that the resources helps, instead of harms your career."

Some areas that PHAP assists the reservists and families with are family counseling, child and teenager concerns, marriage retreats, alcohol and substance abuse, suicide prevention, mental health issues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anger management, and domestic violence.

An Airman or spouse can come to PHAP for any reason and PHAP will work as a conduit to provide any and all resources that will benefit the member.

As a creation of the Yellow Ribbon Program, PHAP was formed because there was a need for a resource specifically for reservists that could be used at a time of crisis and would not negatively affect their career, said Bonnie Newhall, a PHAP outreach specialist.

"What's special about us is that we provide continuous follow up," said Boyd. "We open a completely confidential case on a member that is kept away from the chain of command and military records."

"They don't want people to know their business, we get that," said Newhall. "If someone in an Airman's chain of command requests information about the member, we tell the first sergeant or commander to ask their Airman how they are doing; we do not divulge any information about the Airman or their family to anyone."

PHAP is not a one-size-fits-all organization. They treat each case and each Airman as an individual. They give each Airman, or family member individual attention; and the amount of follow up with them depends on each situation and what the Airman or family requests. "We'll contact them via phone, text, or email," said Boyd.

According to both specialists, there are many current and retired reservists who are a part this program, assisting fellow Reservists and their families.

"When we say we understand, we really do," said Newhall. "We are not doing this to pacify the member or the spouse." She said. "We've been there, done it, or currently doing it."

"We understand deployments, we understand the family that is left behind, and we understand other aspects of the reserves...the fear of retribution for seeking help," said Boyd.

PHAP services are free, confidential and available to each reservist and their family, said Boyd. "We would never turn a military member away but we only open cases for reservists, Individual Mobilization Augmentees and their families."

Newhall told the story of a spouse who requested her Airman husband not know that she was contacting PHAP. The specialists worked with the wife confidentially, around her schedule, and armed her with the tools and resources she needed to make her marriage work.

"We will work around their time and needs and cater to what is convenient for them," said Newhall. "We are 24/7 for you and we can be reached at any time."

The North, West and South U.S. regions have an office, case facilitator and outreach specialists.

"We work very closely with the Yellow Ribbon Representatives, they know how and when to get a hold of us," said Boyd.

"It doesn't matter what it is, we are there for you and we will make sure, whatever the issue is, it is resolved," said Newhall.

The North Region providers and specialists contact information is as follows:

Jennifer L. Wedel, R.N. case facilitator
Email: jennifer.wedel.3.ctr@us.af.mil
Telephone: 937-257-2396 Cell: 937-470-5544

Pamela Boyd PHAP outreach specialist
Email: Pamela.boyd.5.ctr.@us.af.mil
Telephone: 937-257-2396

Bonnie Newhall PHAP outreach specialist
Email: bonnie.newhall.1.ctr@us.af.mil

Samarra Appling, adminstrtative specialist
Email:samarra.arrpling.1.ctr@us.af.mil
Telephone: 937-257-2396

Website: http://afrc.phap.net
PHAP 24-hour call center 1-888-810-2400