HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- The 482nd Medical Squadron asked the American Red Cross to visit HARB and provide training on identifying and coping with anxiety, depression, and suicide on Aug. 5, 2017. This is the first time ever that the American Red Cross has been requested to provide training to the medical unit; American Red Cross instructors from as far away as California attended.
“The Air Force, and our sister services, provide the best training possible on anxiety, depression, and suicide, but we haven’t always put the players in the same room,” said 482nd MDS commander, Col. (Dr.) Kenneth J. Wright. “Getting Southern Command and our first responders input with the 482nd Medical Squadron ensures a continuity of core knowledge and care which helps the reservist, in garrison and downrange.”
The hour and half conference included lectures from the American Red Cross and group activities designed to educate the participants and provide a dialog for dealing with suicide.
To assist bringing a national player into the process, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Troy Frazer from the 482nd MDS worked with Ms. Candice Wright-Pearson from the Red Cross, and locally with Army Lt. Col. Michael Robinson from the SOUTHCOM clinic, along with Senior Master Sgt. Jenny Nicholson from HARB’s fire rescue team, and Chief Master Sgt. Katdo Robinson from the 482nd Maintenance Group.
“The American Red Cross provides nationally recognized lecturers and group facilitators to bases across the country on this and many subjects,” said Wright-Pearson. “We’re already looking to expand our services at the medical squadron, and other units who request our services.”