News

Team Dover’s helping agencies are here to help you

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Jenne
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
We’re entering a unique time of the year. Several holidays and multiple traditional observances can be a time of great happiness, tremendous stress or anything in between.

Dover Air Force Base has several helping agencies designed to assist Airmen and their families through stressful times, medical dependencies and spiritual turmoil.

The Air Force embraces the Comprehensive Airman Fitness model, which states that whole-body wellness stems from embracing mental, spiritual, physical and social health.

The mental health clinic provides free counseling services to active duty Airmen.

One of the offices in mental health is the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, which helps Airmen overcome substance abuse, dependency and addictive behavior. Airmen who believe they may be suffering from any of these conditions should seek help immediately. In most cases, Airmen who self-identify and actively seek help do not suffer any negative effects to their career.

The mental health clinic is an invaluable resource, but it is not the only helping agency available.

Family Advocacy teaches child-raising skills to expecting parents and families with children up to three years old. The agency also responds to reports of family maltreatment and offers classes like anger and stress management and couples communication.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides multiple assets to military members, whether it’s adjusting to military life, balancing finances or even helping your civilian spouse find employment.

A significant source of stress for families is separation from loved ones during the holidays. The AFRC holds monthly events like the Deployed Families’ Dinner to connect families and boost morale.

Military Family Life Counselors also offer support to the military community by offering free, confidential and unrecorded counseling services. MFLC staff can meet you on or off base, at any location besides personal residences. They can help you prioritize your stressors, build healthier relationships or just listen as you work through your concerns.

When Airmen and families need spiritual counsel, a chaplain is always available.

Chaplains provide 100 percent confidential pastoral counseling and respect all religious beliefs. The chapel also holds weekly religious services and has information about local religious gatherings. Additionally, chaplains lead faith-based learning opportunities and retreats.

Military Families can access Military One Source, a 24-hour phone service, to receive mental health, educational and financial services either on or off base. Military One Source can be reached at 1-800-342-9647.

In addition to the official helping agencies, Airmen can find support in their chain of command and wingmen.