Altus AFB kicks off Mental Health Awareness Month Published May 2, 2014 By Senior Airman Levin Boland 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - -- Altus AFB will kick off National Mental Health Awareness Month May 2, 2014 to help enhance the well-being of the base population and teach Airmen more about Mental Health services. The month will begin with a Pay-It-Forward program that encourages people to reach out into the community and perform random acts of kindness for complete strangers throughout the month of May. By paying it forward, one good deed towards a complete stranger could make their day. If everyone were to do something good for someone else, then the cycle of generosity and kindness could spark us to become better people. "One component of mental health is connections with others," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristen Seitz, 97th Medical Group MH element chief. "When we connect with others it improves our overall well-being and our sense of togetherness and humanity. If everyone did this for at least one day, it would improve our own individual resilience and the community's resilience as well." There will be other activities and briefings throughout the month that will help Airmen better understand the resources offered by Mental Health. Among the activities will include a gate sweep to distribute information about Mental Health resources, squadron walk-abouts to increase Mental Health visibility within work centers, and mindfulness classes that teach people relaxation and awareness techniques. "We have a lot of activities planned out over the next month to increase our visibility and educate the base," said Seitz. "The main thing we will be doing is walk-abouts in different squadrons to educate members how to increase skillsets like relaxation or mindfulness." National Mental Health Awareness Month is also being held to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help through Mental Health. "A lot of people have a perception that coming to Mental Health will have a negative impact on their careers and how people view them," said Seitz. "I have seen the services that Mental Health provides actually greatly improve people's lives and careers. After working with us, they go on to be more successful and better at their jobs and relationships." "We all go through stress. Its natural and it affects us and there are ways to get through it. Sometimes everyone can just use a little extra help," said Seitz. For more information about National Mental Health Awareness Month activities being offered, call 580-481-5376.