106 Rescue Wing visits the Mildred & Frank Feinberg Division of Unified behavioral Health Center for Veterans and their family. Published April 2, 2014 By Master Sergeant Cambridge 106th Rescue Wing 3/25/14- Bay Shore, NY -- Members of the 106th Rescue Wing visited the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Veterans and their families. The first of its kind, cost-free facility opened their doors to show wing members the center's purpose and functionality. The Unified Behavioral Health Center is a first of its kind public and private sector collaboration between North Shore Long Island Jewish (LIJ) and the Northport Veterans Administration medical center. It provides cost free behavioral health services to all military personnel active duty, guard, reserve and their families. They also serve veterans who are not eligible for VA benefits. The center also addresses the unique needs of the family during pre-deployment, deployment and post deployment. "This one-of- a kind program is designed around the unique issues common to military families and offers no cost support, guidance and behavioral health care to service members and their families." said Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Savarese, chief of the 106th Medical Group. The center's appearance has a homey, friendly and non-clinical feel to it. When you walk through the entrance, the corridor splits into two. The service member walks towards the right for VA services. The family members walk towards the left into the North Shore LIJ. This kind of setup protects the privacy of all parties. Later on, with everyone's permission, the family can come back together and talk. "The idea is to reduce the barrier to care. Everyone can come together hopefully at the same time and the really novel thing you will see is toward the back, there are areas for us to mingle and collaborate. The treatment teams from both sides, if consent is given, can coordinate the treatment for both the service member or veteran and the family," explained Mayer Bellehsen, PhD and Director of the Mildred & Frank Feinberg Division of the Unified Behavioral Health Center. The Wing Director of Psychological Health plans on spreading the word about this top notch local resource to members of the 106th Rescue Wing. This relationship with the Unified Behavioral Health Center allows our members to have greater access to resources that addresses many existing needs in our community. " said Jenna DeBono, LMHC 106th Wing Director of Psychological Health. "They can have cost-free, high quality behavioral health care that addresses a variety of issues through individual counseling, marriage counseling and counseling for children of all ages." The Behavioral Health Center for Veterans and their family offers help to treat families with common issues including, long-term stress, family conflicts, children behavior problems, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression and difficulties with reintegration. They also offer health and wellness management, education and supportive resources, parenting and child workshops, confidential assessments and much more. The doctors and associates at the behavioral Health Center are passionate about serving military members and their families. "The dedicated North Shore team is a true asset to veterans, military members and families." Col Jeffrey Arndt, 106th Vice Commander emphasized. "I look forward to the numerous partnering opportunities that are taking shape to better serve our military community and ultimately strengthen our capabilities and resilience."