By the numbers Published May 26, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Earlandez M. Young 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- On May 13, service members of the 92nd medical squadron, mental health clinic were at the Base Exchange to give servicemembers, retirees and civilians here the opportunity to discover if they had any signs regarding the four areas of mental health - bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety, depression and stress by filling out a screened survey. Seventeen people took the survey regarding mental health awareness, and six of them showed one sign in particular -- depression. The reason for this survey was to show people everyday more people are suffering from mental health but don't realize they are, and the mental health awareness program here can assist them by helping them with anxieties they are challenged with. "We wanted to do this to increases awareness that this is a common issue," said Maj. Kim Floyd, 92nd MDOS, flight commander. "If one out of four people show signs of mental health, then it is clearly a common thing that can affect our way of life." The mental health clinic also participated in Spouse Appreciation day May 7. They gave people the opportunity to fill out a screened survey, and out of the 31 people who took the survey, 10 of them showed signs of mental health concerns. "These numbers aren't surprising to me," said Staff Sgt. Ben Johns, 92nd MDOS, mental health NCO in charge. "In one year one, out of every four people will meet criteria for mental health diagnosis. Showing signs of mental health doesn't exactly mean anything life threatening is occuring. It can be small things that can easily be sustained; such as not getting enough sleep, not eating the right foods, lack of exercising or worrying too much." There are a number of available mental health and counseling services here. One in particular is the Military Family Life Consultant service that is housed in the Airmen & Family Readiness Center. These consultants are masters or doctor of philosophy-level licensed clinical counselors who work with families, individuals, couples and children to provide non-medical problem identification and counseling services. They address relationships, stress management, grief after loss, occupational and other individual and family issues and are also counterparts with the mental health clinic. The mental health clinic provides specialty mental health treatment. Access is always available for active duty members. Dependents and retirees can be seen as access allows. For any questions or appointments, call 509-247-2731. "We're hoping to start breaking down some of those barriers that people have to make our presence more available," said Maj. Floyd. "We want people to know these conditions are treatable. Give us the opportunity to help you, so you can have a first-class lifestyle."