Maxwell Mental Health technicians provide Airmen support Published Aug. 11, 2015 By By Airman 1st Class Alexa Culbert 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- The Air Force Comprehensive Airman Fitness model is comprised of four pillars needed to maintain overall resiliency: physical, social, spiritual and mental fitness. Mental fitness involves the acceptance of one's feelings and knowing how to properly deal with certain stressor, but some may find this to be a hard feat to deal with on their own. Fortunately, the Maxwell Mental Health Clinic provides the necessary treatment and resources to all active duty, retirees and dependents. The clinic offers individual therapy, marital counseling, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program, family advocacy and several group meetings for issues such as anger management, sleep education and stress management. "We help people ... we keep people psychologically and emotionally stable and healthy so they are able to enjoy their quality of life and carry out their duties relating to the mission," said Capt. Jessica Allinger, Maxwell Mental Health Clinic flight commander. The clinic can provide tactics to its patients that help keep stress at bay, which Airmen and their families might find helpful since the recent force-shaping measures. "We've seen Airmen who feel like they have less resources to get the job done and that causes more stress for folks. Anytime more demands or tasks are put on them, it's going to cause stress, but then you also have the worry of being forced out," said Allinger. While the resources are here to help Airmen cope with stress and other mental illnesses, some are apprehensive to receive help in the fear of it negatively impacting their careers. "It makes Airmen hesitant to come in when they don't know where that information is going to be shared and documented. There is only a small majority of cases where we ever see anything mental health-related harm someone's career," she said. Allinger said Airmen should not fear seeking help or advice from the mental health clinic, because the real trouble begins when issues are avoided and something happens that has to be dealt with administratively. "We first recommend that the Airmen come in and get treatment, that's going to ensure that they have the tools needed to prevent it from becoming an issue," she said. For further information on the Maxwell Mental Health Clinic or the services available, contact the clinic at 953-5430.