Natosha Monroe

As a new counselor still under supervision and still completing the initial hours for independent licensure, I already fully realize this “job” provides me with the most amazing opportunity in the world. Biased opinion? Yes. But it is one that is constantly reinforced by my experiences. Yalom and other greats in our field have suggested how powerful the therapeutic relationship of one human’s acceptance and support of another can be. After living 5 months in an Afghanistan combat zone and using this foundational premise, I’m here to say their wisdom is spot-on.

This past week I traveled outside of Bagram Airfield to help in the initial set up of Telebehavioral Health equipment in another area of the region. Each time I travel I’m reminded of just how different life is for Troops depending upon where they are sent and what they experience there. Upon hearing a client has been deployed to Afghanistan, for example, it’s so very important for counselors/therapists not to entertain personal perceptions/assumptions based off that fact. More information is needed in order to get a more accurate feel for what a Service Member has been through.

I will be spending my Thanksgiving on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. This will be my second Thanksgiving in a row to be in an Army uniform working, away from my family—last year I was working night shift at the Pentagon. But don’t feel badly for me for a second, I love what I do and I asked to be here. That being said, I may be the exception to the rule. Since I can’t speak for anyone other than myself, I’ve asked a few friends here at Bagram Air Field to participate in my blog this week to share how they feel about being deployed during the holidays. These are not edited or filtered in anyway, just the first 3 people I asked.

I have currently been working on the 101st Airborne Division’s implementation of what is currently called Telebehavioral Health in this region of Afghanistan. TBH is also currently starting up in Iraq as well. This is just one way the 101st Airborne Division and the Army are addressing behavioral health needs of Troops—of all branches, not just Army—who are deployed to this theater of operation. This past week marked a historical milestone for behavioral health care, in my opinion, as I connected with a psychiatrist miles away so he could offer services to a client sitting in my office.

Just prior to my deployment, I came across a group of people who plan to propose to Congress that the definition of “Veteran” should change. This has been on my mind since it’s the week of Veterans Day and I’m serving in Afghanistan. This group is “representing” military service members, yet when I inquired, the enlisted organization only had 30 members and admitted to “not having time or personnel” to somehow survey Service Members to hear their opinions on the matter. I had a frank discussion with one of the leaders of this movement back in July, expressing to her that I, as a Veteran, was insulted that people who have not earned the title are now wanting to change the definition so they can reap additional benefits—primarily financial. What do you all think about that?