Partnership for Stronger Psychological Health

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt Nicholas Robles
  • 174th Attack Wing
Hancock Air National Guard Base --  

SYRACUSE, NY – 174th Attack Wing Director of Psychological Health, Kate Rowe, recently supported Rochester General Hospital’s continued education program, presenting to roughly 40 social medical workers on what it means to be a clinical social worker working in the military community.

The event’s audience was composed of practicing social work professionals from the Rochester area, many of whom have limited experience with the military.

“The majority of medical employers have continued education,” said Rowe. “It’s part of their continuing professional series.”

“I was able to give a perspective on how the military views mental health and readiness to those professionals in the communities where our wing members work and live,” said Rowe.

Two major topics of discussion were challenges service members face and how they differ in the sense of fitness for duty in a military environment, due to the unique challenges and role expectations of the military working environment. Each of these elements tends to differ greatly from the civilian medical community.

This opportunity allowed Rowe to showcase the base’s resources and capabilities to continue to help members' mental health needs.

Many times the military and veteran’s health system can be a complicated and daunting system to navigate for both caregivers and parents.

In her position, Rowe is the 174th’s “one stop shop mental health resource, clinician, [and] provider; if it has something to do with mental health on the base”, she is involved.

Rowe explained her primary focus is supporting service members going through a tough time by way of offering brief counseling and referring them out to appropriate treatment services.

When asked what her one message to the community would be, Rowe said “if you’re feeling unhappiness, stress, or depression and your methods of coping with it are not working, please come see me. Be proactive instead of reactive and fix the stressor before it becomes a problem.”