Confidential Mental Health Self-Assessments Expanded

By DoD Health Affairs (Force Health Protection & Readiness) & MentalHealthScreening.org
January 25, 2007

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Tens of thousands of military families took advantage of the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHSAP), a Department of Defense program of anonymous mental health and alcohol self-directed screenings, in 2006. This enormous response is driving the addition of program enhancements to provide more services for families concerned about themselves or their children.

The Mental Health Self Assessment Program funded by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness, will be expanded to better serve military families through telephone technology, Spanish language services, and youth suicide prevention programs. The MHSAP is offered to all branches and components, including National Guard and Reserve members and provides information about services provided through both the DoD and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is run through Screening for Mental Health, Inc., (SMH) a nonprofit organization headquartered in Wellesley Hills, Mass.

The MHSAP provides materials designed to help installations conduct mental health and alcohol education events and an online self-assessment program available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all military personnel and their families by visiting MilitaryMentalHealth.org.

SMH is now adding a robust array of new services designed to expand the program's reach and make it more accessible and informative.

The enhancements include:

* Customizable Referrals

Individual military bases and National Guard units will be able to add customized referrals to the online screening, linking individuals with local services in addition to DoD and VA mental health services.

* Online Assessment for Parents

A new online assessment will help parents understand if their children may be suffering from depression or showing signs that could be linked with potential self-injury thoughts.

* Telephone Self-Assessment

To serve those who do not have ready access to the internet, there will be a new pre-recorded, interactive telephone self-assessment program. A toll-free number, 1-877-877-3647 will connect callers to the anonymous self-assessment. Callers will be provided with immediate results and phone numbers for treatment or educational resources.

* A pilot Spanish language version of the program Spanish language materials will be available for in-person self assessment, online screening and the new telephone component

* The SOS Signs of Suicide(r) Prevention Program will be available for schools located on military installations in the U.S. and overseas. The SOS program is the only school-based program proven to reduce suicide attempts in a randomized, controlled study.

"Our military members display a courage and dedication that is unsurpassed and they and their families deserve our best efforts to provide them with support and links to treatment services," says Col. Joyce Adkins, PhD, MPH, a psychologist at the Department of Defense. "We are continuing to augment this program in order to provide tools that help busy families under stress. Help is no more than a click or phone call away."

"We are very pleased to continue to offer this important program to our nation's military service members and their families," says Douglas Jacobs, MD, SMH President and CEO. "Their commitment to service is inspiring. We hope that by providing telephone screening, Spanish language options, information concerning child mental health and more expansive and specific referral options that we are reducing the burden they shoulder at least in some small part."

Local health providers, hospitals, businesses or mental health centers interested in supporting the DoD effort can help by placing a link to the online Mental Health Self-Assessment on their webpage or by including information about the program in newsletters or mailing lists. The online program is available at MilitaryMentalHealth.org. A graphic is also available to use as a web page icon.

For more information call 781-239-0071, email Military@MentalHealthScreening.org < or visit us online at MilitaryMentalHealth.org.