Introduction

The MN Army National Guard’s (MNARNG) Behavioral Health (BH) Program is comprised of a multi-disciplinary clinical team of full-time licensed Psychological Health Coordinators (PHCs), a Director of Psychological Health (DPH), and traditional drilling members such as Behavioral Health Officers (BHOs) and Behavioral Health Specialists (MOS 68X). This integrated team provides a continuum of care focused on providing prevention and education of BH related services, fitness for duty and self-referral evaluations, crisis intervention, and clinical case management. BH services and support are provided only to uniformed serving members of the MNARNG. The primary goal is to support the behavioral healthcare needs of Soldiers and ensure the force is medically ready to perform state and federal missions.

Contact Information

The MNARNG BH Team handles non-emergency behavioral health matters. For any urgent BH crisis, Soldiers should immediately contact the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—a 24/7 resource—by calling or texting 988. Alternatively, use local emergency services or the online chat at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/. While your unit's PHC will respond to crisis situations, please remember that the MNARNG BH Team staff are not 24/7 crisis providers.

Director of Psychological Health (DPH)

Travis Quinlan, MSW, LICSW Email: ng.mn.mnarng.list.b-health@army.mil

ASAP
Resources
Myths and Facts

Army Substance Abuse Program

The MNARNG BH team aligns closely with the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) to address the frequent co-occurrence of substance use with other mental health disorders. This team consists of Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselors (LADCs) who are responsible for assessing and referring Soldiers facing drug and alcohol challenges.

The LADCs can be contacted at 651-485-0559 or 651-485-1108.
Resources
- MNNG App - this app contains all internal MNNG resources including contact information for your unit’s assigned PHC
- Veterans Affairs (VA)* – offers robust medical and mental health services for federally defined veterans.
- VA Vet Centers – the Vet Centers offer confidential help for service members, veterans, and their families at no cost in non-medical setting.
  - Twin Cities Vet Center
  - Anoka Vet Center
  - Satellite station in St. Cloud, MN
  - Duluth Vet Center
- Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)*
  - WWP has a broad offering of professional mental health services. Programs include the Warrior Care Network, Project Odyssey, WWP Talk and referrals to in-person/virtual psychotherapy sessions at no cost for up to 12 sessions.
- Veteran Resilience Project (VRP)
  - VRP is a MN nonprofit whose goal is for Veterans, Military Service Members and their spouses to experience healing and to move forward living their lives to the fullest. They provide 12 free EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) sessions for individuals who are dealing with trauma, PTSD and other mental health symptoms.
- Magnus Veterans Foundation (MFV)
  - MVF is located in Dayton, MN on 37-acre wellness campus, where veterans and their families find community and care that supports five pillars of health, supporting service members, veterans and families.
- Star Behavioral Health Providers (SBHP)
  - SBHP connects Minnesota Veterans and Service Members with psychotherapists that are credentialed to provide psychotherapy and that have demonstrated military cultural competency through SBHP clinical trainings.
- Military OneSource (MOS)
  - MOS offers a free, confidential, non-medical counseling service for issues related to stress, marital and family conflict, and grief/loss.
- Avalon Action Alliance (AAA)*
  - AAA provides out-state training and treatment programs to our service members, veterans, and first responders who suffer from co-occurring symptoms related to traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress, and substance abuse.
* May require proof of service, veteran status (DD214), or other service specific criteria to gain entrance into programs. Inquire with your unit’s PHC for questions and assistance.
Myths and Facts

Myth: If I see a civilian provider for mental health, it will prevent continued service in the MNARNG.

Fact: In most circumstances, a BH condition and its associated symptoms are not solely service-disqualifying and may not create duty limitations. The MNARNG BH Team's goal is to ensure Soldiers receive early and adequate treatment to enhance retainability and deployability.

Myth: Seeking, reporting, or receiving behavioral healthcare will negatively impact my security clearance or prevent me from obtaining one.

Fact: It is rare to have a security clearance denied or revoked based solely on reporting a mental health condition or receiving treatment. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) states, “Seeking mental health care is a positive course of action and a sign of sound judgment. It is the most common way to mitigate mental health issues and is recognized as a positive step during the personnel vetting process.”

Myth: I will not be able to deploy if I obtain behavioral healthcare, report a behavioral health concern on an assessment, or have a behavioral health diagnosis.

Fact: Although some serious diagnoses, associated symptoms, and certain psychotropic medications may limit deployability, many mental health issues do not. DoDI 6490.07 lists the mental health concerns that may prevent deployment. This instruction states that you should be able to deploy if: you have demonstrated stability for at least three months; your medications have been unchanged for at least three months and are available to you while deployed; and you will not need routine evacuations during the deployment. Inquire with your unit’s PHC to learn more.

Myth: My command will know all of my business if I go to a BH provider.

Fact: DoDI 6490.08 and DoDM 6025.18 provide clear guidelines on command notification requirements and HIPAA, ensuring your privacy is protected. Disclosures are limited to what is necessary for safety and mission readiness.

Myth: I will get a behavioral health profile if I disclose any mental health struggles.

Fact: Not necessarily. Military medical providers foster an environment that promotes help-seeking behaviors. Voluntarily seeking BH resources, referrals, or openly reporting symptoms do not automatically warrant a profile or command notification.

Myth: I do not have to update changes to my medical and mental health status.

Fact: To maintain a strong and ready force, Soldiers are required to report changes in their medical and mental health status as outlined in Individual Medical Readiness Program instructions. This can be done at least once a year during your Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) and allows for enhanced readiness by ensuring Soldiers are equipped with necessary referrals and resources.