LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Little Rock Air Force Base hosted a helping agencies panel on Sept. 12, 2024, in an effort to foster an open environment and spread awareness surrounding mental health resources during Suicide Prevention Month.
The panel featured a comprehensive discussion while highlighting various support programs available to service members and their families. Those represented included the Chapel, the Integrated Resiliency Office, the Air Force Warrior Recovery Care Coordinator, True North, Military One Source, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, the Drug Demand and Reduction Program and Military & Family Life Counselors.
Maj. Sean Freitag, 19th Maintenance Squadron commander, headlined the discussion, sharing some of his life experiences and personal struggles with mental health and seeking help. His message laid out the importance of taking every day as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
“If you take nothing else away from this conversation today—One day or day one,” said Freitag. “Every day you wake up, you have a choice. You can say, I'm going to get better one day… or you can wake up and choose to have today be day one.”
Freitag explained how his perspective on being open about mental health struggles has changed throughout his career. He said he went from struggling silently to being open with his challenges.
“You break your leg; you go straight to the hospital. Your mind is broken; you do nothing. Why?” asked Freitag. “Being vulnerable is powerful. What can be done? We got to talk about it.”
A low point came in his career as a brand-new major in the 89th Airlift Wing, the host wing of Air Force One, when his wife encouraged him to seek help. He didn’t think he could. Despite putting on what he called a “mask” at work and achieving “Field Grade Officer of the Year” at the wing, on the inside, he was at a breaking point.
Soon, he began to slowly take steps to address his personal mental health crisis, and finally, he told his boss.
“He said ‘How can I help?’” said Freitag. “He could have thrown me out. He could have ended my career. The only thing he said was, how can I help? He trusted me.”
Today, Freitag openly advocates for all military personnel to get the help they need—and to not be ashamed when doing it.
“I went to mental health. I went to mental health. I went to mental health,” he said. “It is okay to go to mental health. Ask for help. Get help. It's okay not to be okay.”
During the panel, Capt. Darian Cornelius, 19th Operations Group chaplain, echoed that response.
“You can get help, and you should get help,” said Cornelius. “So don't think you're weak because you do get help, because you’re actually strong for opening up, sharing and building that community, getting that support.”
By focusing on the importance of utilizing the resources available and knowing where to access those resources, panelists were able to emphasize the critical nature of NCOs and senior leaders building trust with their teams and fostering open communication.
“We have a culture established here at Team Little Rock, where we are all looking out for each other, we care for each other,” said Margarita Overton, Chief of Integrated Prevention. “If you are passionate about helping other people, connecting with other people, and you're passionate about establishing that culture that we want to create… feel free to stop by, because that's why we're here.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the helping agencies on base are ready and willing to assist you. Remember, you are not alone—help is available.
For more information, visit our support services on base or online. Support your people by continuing to foster an environment where seeking help is a strength while embracing the opportunity for growth each “day one.”