An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 20 | Clinically, each of these professionals may assess, diag- nose, and treat service members who are experiencing mental health difficulties that may be causing illness and functional impairment. These mental health assets address all aspects of mental healthcare by supporting personnel who experience clinically significant problems, which may be deemed as mild, moderate or severe. DF mental health professionals offer acute crisis mental health assessments, pre- and post-operational psychologi- cal evaluations, expert witness services, neuropsychologi- cal testing, pre- and post-surgical psychological assess- ments, and pain management; along with psychotherapy for complex clinical conditions relating to trauma, sleep, mood, anxiety, personality, impulse control, or other dif- ficulties. In addition, they provide evidence-based out-pa- tient treatment services, which entail pharmacological and psychological interventions. In-patient care, when required, is available through resources based within the HSE. DF personnel can access the mental healthcare clinicians via a referral from their MO. Every effort is made to return service members to duty, as they are seen as a valued asset to whom the organi- sation has a duty of care. However, as an occupational mental healthcare service, the clinical team is especially concerned with the ongoing fitness and safety of service members who present for care. Therefore, these clinicians regularly assess fitness and suitability for duty. They work closely with the DF occupational physicians and command to manage and reduce individual and workplace risk that might arise in those experiencing mental health difficul- ties. Occasionally, service members may be supported by removing them from certain duty obligations while they receive treatment. This is often temporary, and is generally reversed upon successful completion of care. Mental health services can also assist personnel in return- ing to work after a period of ill-health, and support the ad- vancement of psychological resilience across the organisa- tion. On occasion, the clinical team promotes mental health via individual and group briefings, which helps service members to manage their own psychological fitness. Train- ing and research support might also be delivered to the Military College and DF Medical School for those attending professional and military courses and programmes. Adviso- ry and liaison assistance is also provided to the PSS. Finally, as serving officers in the Medical Corps mental health clinicians may be tasked to deliver services on international deployments. The types of psychological health difficulties that arise within the DF are not always at a clinical level of severity. Like anybody, many in the DF can experience temporary challenges with work-related stress, relationship difficul- ties, alcohol misuse, stage-of-life concerns, debt, bereave- ment, gambling problems, weight and fitness challenges, etc. Often in such cases, these problems can be resolved at an early stage, before there is a need to access the mental healthcare team. As a result, the DF operates a non-clinical resource and support service through the PSS and Chap- laincy Service. The PSS is a confidential, information, education, emo- tional support and referral team, designed to give person- nel access to resources and services within and outside the organization. Specifically, its services fulfil an advisory and employee assistance programme function for permanent service personnel and military families. Reservists are eli- gible for PSS support if a need arises as a result of an event during RDF training and/or if the reservist is on full-time duty. The PSS is staffed by personnel recruited from the ranks, overseen by a number of PSS officers. Although not mental health clinicians, PSS personnel undergo training in stress management and counselling, amongst other related areas, to be able to fulfil their duties. All major barracks have a full-time Barracks Personnel Support Service Officer (BPSSO), while smaller units or facili- ties are covered on a part-time basis. The PSS team holds particular responsibility for providing the DF with pre- and post-operational stress management briefings and immedi- ate advice regarding emotional support following critical incidents, including the delivery of a critical incident stress management service. In addition, a team of occupational social workers (OSWs) function as an internal service within the PSS, currently op- erating with five full-time and two part-time OSWs, along with the Principal OSW. They operate across formation and brigade areas, providing an OSW service to all serving members and their families, civilian staff, DF veterans and reservists on duty. The OSWs take part in pre- and post- deployment social work briefs and PSS overseas visits to operational theatres. They also provide counselling on a range of issues, such as occupational stress, interpersonal conflicts, financial/debt management, and alcohol misuse, as well as major life events such as relationship difficulties, bereavement, accidents, ill-health, and retirement prepara- tion. In cases of interpersonal conflict in the work environ- ment, a mediation service can be offered. The service has well- established links with DF command structures, the Medical Corps, the Chaplaincy Service, and Allied Health Services. It also promotes an interdisciplinary approach to psycho-social issues presenting in the military environment; developing policy and promoting best practice. PSS and OSW services are accessed via self-referral or, with the individual's consent, a referral can be made via the chain of command, BPSSO or other internal support services. A confidential telephone counselling service is also provided, which operates 24/7, 365 days per year. Delivered by Inspire Workplace Services, this external civilian agency offers non-clinical listening, supportive and advisory assistance to DF personnel. Ultimately, the PSS staff and OSWs also serve as a referral conduit for service members in accessing mental healthcare within the DF medical services. An additional source of emotional support for DF mem- bers is offered through the Chaplaincy Service. The DF chap- laincy service offers spiritual assistance, pastoral support, and moral direction, whilst also living out the values of faith. Such support is provided individually to each service member, along with public ministry, such as through acts

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