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Bataan ARG Becomes First to Embark Mental Health Professional

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110826-13
8/26/2011

From Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs

USS BATAAN, At Sea (NNS) -- With the embarkation of a clinical psychologist and psychology technician Aug. 15, the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) became the first deployed amphibious ready group (ARG) capable of providing Sailors and Marines with access to mental health care aboard.

Without the services of a psychologist aboard, Sailors or Marines who require professional care would have to leave the ship and go to a shore-based mental health care facility, a process that is both expensive and disruptive to at-sea operations.

According to Lt. Sam Stephens, the new BATARG psychologist, establishing a climate in which Sailors and Marines feel comfortable coming to him for help means being a strong patient advocate and willing to work around their schedules.

"In an operational environment I consider myself available 24/7," said Stephens. "I make every effort to be as flexible as possible so that those who want to get an appointment can."

Ultimately, it's about being available to help - a sentiment shared by his colleagues.

"It's really all about taking care of the whole Sailor and Marine; their body, mind and spirit," said Cmdr. William Wallace, officer in charge of Fleet Surgical Team 8.

Regardless of whether they are on their first or their sixth deployment, Sailors and Marines can face the same potential stressors of family separation, a fast-paced and changing environment, financial problems, and loneliness, Wallace added.

"Although stress is natural, prolonged stress has the potential to develop into debilitating anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior, and even thoughts of suicide. There's been a long-standing need and desire by ARG surgeons and senior medical officers to have mental health providers aboard during deployment," said Wallace. "Mental health is as important as physical health in maintaining operational readiness, and psychologists can help people work through things before they become overwhelmed."

While hospital corpsmen, surgeons, and chaplains are available to help crewmembers during difficult times, the position of a clinical psychologist in operational units is relatively new and represents a significant change in the way mental health is viewed.

"Our hope is that this preventative mental health approach will continue to prevail so that we can catch stress before it turns into distress," said Stephens.

Bataan ARG ships include Norfolk-based Bataan, the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), and the dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story, Va. Bataan is currently supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.