USO, TriWest Team Up to Support Service Members

ARLINGTON, Va. – In light of startling statistics surrounding combat stress, suicide and other challenges faced by millions of America’s service members, organizations are reaching out in unique ways to help our nation’s men and women.

USO and TriWest Healthcare Alliance have teamed up to expand a behavioral health pilot program that was jointly developed in October 2009. The program equips USO staff and volunteers with resources to identify symptoms of combat stress, as well as how to better engage service members and families overall and assist them in getting the support they need, when they need it.

Pilot Program Expands to 17 USO Centers Through Western U.S.

The behavioral health support program was successfully piloted last year at four USO Centers, including Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Bliss, Texas; Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii; and Denver International Airport, Colo. Over 350 USO staff and volunteers completed the initiative’s online training. The program will expand to include locations throughout the western United States:

• Fort Riley, Kan.
• Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
• East Fort Bliss, Texas
• Sea-Tac Airport, Wash.
• Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
• Ontario Int Airport, Calif.
• Los Angeles Int Airport, Calif.
• Palm Springs Int Airport, Calif.
• Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
• San Jose Int Airport, Calif.
• San Diego Downtown Center, Calif.
• San Diego Int Airport, Calif.
• San Francisco Int Airport, Calif.

How It Works
The USO / TriWest partnership has brought together a collection of resources, including websites, handouts, a wallet card, DVDs and an online education module that provides USO staff and volunteers with information on the best possible ways to assist Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and their spouses during a potential time of need.

“There is a stigma among our nation’s service members when it comes to reaching out for behavioral health services, and the fear that it might impact their career,” said Sloan Gibson, USO president. “It is our hope that we can equip our staff and volunteers with information and resources to help guide our service members and their families, in the most sensitive manner possible, to the help and services they need when and where they need it.”

As part of the program, USO staff and volunteers are provided information and guidance on spotting signs/symptoms of deployment and combat stress, identifying substance abuse, military family parenting resources, coping with stress and the emotional cycle of deployment.

“Combat stress and multiple deployments can often lead to post-traumatic stress or other behavioral health issues. It’s so incredibly crucial to offer ways to support the men and women who wear our nation’s uniform and defend American freedoms,” said TriWest president and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. “TriWest is truly honored to partner with the USO to provide these resources to military families.”

TriWest is the Department of Defense contractor that administers the military’s TRICARE program in the 21-state West Region. For more information, visit www.triwest.com/uso.

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About the USO
The USO (United Service Organizations) lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at thousands of places worldwide. We provide a touch of home through centers at airports and military bases, top quality entertainment and innovative programs and services. We also provide critical support to those who need us most, including forward-deployed troops and their families, wounded warriors and their families, and the families of the fallen.

The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers and donors. In addition to individual donors and other corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners American Airlines, AT&T Inc., BAE Systems, The Boeing Company, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Gallery Furniture, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation and TriWest Healthcare Alliance. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this patriotic mission and to learn more about the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

About TriWest
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.7 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or visit www.triwest.com for more information.

CONTACT:
Patrice Cameau, pcameau@uso.org
703-908-6422