Another option: The Behavioral Health Optimization Program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean D. Smith
  • Minot AFB Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The Behavioral Health Optimization Program is a flexible resource available to all Minot Airmen and dependents that's intended to help with issues that don't necessarily warrant a trip to mental health.

The BHOP treatment model uses short, problem-focused consultations to help people while leaving a small footprint in terms of paperwork and records.

"The primary care managers here have a really high volume of patients, and about 50 percent of people that come through have their mental health needs addressed by their primary care manager," said Dr. Mike Toohey, 5th Medical Group internal behavioral health consultant. "PCMs don't necessarily have that kind of training, and that's why I'm here."

One of BHOP's main selling points is that patients don't need a referral from the medical group to visit. Dr. Toohey explained that the program is intended to be easily approachable for anyone.

"The range of people that I work with is very broad," he said. "Basically anybody, ages five and up. I work with families, couples, and individuals. Anything from stress and adjustment, some post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, weight loss, smoking - pretty much anything and everything."

Though BHOP's light touch is its defining characteristic, the program offers robust treatment to people who want it, explained  Robin Hayes, 5th MDG behavioral health care facilitator.

"We want to find out what people want to see for themselves. We try to help empower them to get to where they want to be," she said.

If a prescription is made, Hayes monitors side effects and assesses progress in the patient, usually through phone contact.

"This began as a measure to avoid the stigma that can go with utilizing mental health," Toohey said.  "This is a Personnel Reliability Program base, and people are sometimes reluctant to access mental health at all."

BHOP can be a way to ease people into treatment and make sure they get exactly what they need.

"A lot of people don't have experience going to mental health, and they don't have experience seeing a therapist," Toohey said. "A lot of times they don't even necessarily know that what they're going through is a mental health issue versus a medical one. Seventy percent of what we deal with has to do with psychosocial issues rather than medical ones."

Toohey stated that BHOP isn't just easy to utilize, but that it also offers a wide spectrum of help to anyone who needs it.

"Depression, anxiety - if you're feeling overwhelmed and you need a break, whatever you need - you can just walk up to the front desk and ask for me," Toohey said.