Mental health clinic expands counseling services Published Sept. 5, 2007 By Lt. Col. (Dr.) Mark Hinton 81st Medical Operations Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Access to counseling services in Keesler Medical Center's mental health clinic recently expanded with the addition of a civilian psychologist and a new clinical social worker. The clinic on Ward 1D, is available to assist active-duty military members, retirees and adult family members. Stress is always a factor in everyday life. Anxiety, depression and anger are only a few examples of common problems experienced by generally healthy people. Anxiety significantly affects about 40 million American adults age 18 and older in a given year. Depression affects approximately 19 million adults in the United States. Nearly twice as many women as men are affected by a depressive illness each year. The World Health Organization estimates major depression is the fourth most important cause worldwide for loss of life-years due to disability. The WHO estimates depression will be the second most important cause for loss of life-years due to disability by 2020. Services include individual appointments, couples appointments and the following classes and groups: Relaxation -- 9 a.m. Mon-days. For anxiety-related disorders, the class meets for four weeks and four different relaxation techniques are reviewed. Anger management techniques -- 9 a.m. Tuesdays for four weeks. Healthy thinking -- 2 p.m. Tuesdays. The class meets each week as an introduction to cognitive/ behavioral therapy. Stress management techniques -- 10 a.m. Wednes-days for four weeks. The post-traumatic stress disorder program is a new addition to the clinic's groups. The group meets 1:30 p.m. Mondays. Active-duty members experiencing difficulties related to traumatic events may wish to be evaluated for this type of specialized care which is hard to find in most communities. The program offers education, evaluation and group treatment conducted by mental-health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. Services are available by calling the mental health clinic, 376-0385 or 0386, or by walk-in.