Mental Health
Everyone reacts to stress and traumatic experiences differently. While some have reactions that can be seen as normal responses to life events, others may experience signs or symptoms of more serious conditions.
Mental health and substance misuse conditions can affect anyone;
you are not alone. The Military Health System has many resources available to help those who need it.
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at
988Lifeline.org. 988 connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can help.
Targeted Care
Our mental health clinic offers targeted care. Targeted care helps us give you the right mental health support for your specific needs, whether it’s an individual appointment, group therapy or non-clinical support.
How it Works
Targeted care synchronizes and expands the resources we have to address your specific needs. The process begins with a preliminary assessment.
You’ll meet with a technician who will:
- Listen to your concerns.
- Assess your needs.
- Match you to the best resource.
Options may include an appointment with:
- A primary or specialty care consultant.
- Military and family life counselors.
- A chaplain.
You don’t need a referral for an appointment with the Department of Mental Health, and you won’t be turned away or denied specialty care. Learn more about Targeted Care.
Our Services
Our facility offers the following services:
- Multi-disciplinary therapeutic approach
- Active-Duty clinic
- Child and Family clinic
- Substance Use clinic
- Family Advocacy Program
- Specialty Evaluations (some require command coordination): Mental status exams, fit for duty, security evaluations, mental health clearance for chapters, 706 boards, line of duty evaluations, military school evaluations, etc. Contact front desk and request to speak with the Specialty Evaluation Coordinator for further information (502-626-9891/9892)
- Groups – required coaching psychoeducational groups as well as optional “drop in” groups. See descriptions below
- Crisis walk in availability – 0900-1500 Monday-Friday (If you need immediate care before or after duty hours, please call 911, 988, or proceed to the nearest Emergency Department)
- Reverse SRP availability Wednesdays 1200-1500
- Coordination of mental health care for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) through contacting our Nurse Case Manager or Specialty Evaluation Coordinator (502-626-9891/9892)
- Continued care during times of inclement weather through virtual healthcare
Active-Duty service members have full access to mental health appointments that can be scheduled with the Mental Health Department front desk in person or by phone (see phone number under contact information). Appointments can be virtual or face-to-face to allow for ease of access. Limited clinical services are available to family member children ages 12-18. Children ages 11 and under, and adult dependents can receive mental health services off post. To be seen off post, family members do not need a referral from the clinic.
For walk in care, wait times may vary. Each walk in will be triaged to determine need of care. In the event of a crisis before or after duty hours requiring immediate care, call 911, 988, or proceed to the nearest Emergency Department to ensure safety. Reverse SRPs will be conducted on Wednesdays as quickly as can be facilitated but wait times may vary.
In the event of an installation closure due to inclement weather, expect your appointment to be maintained. All face-to-face appointments will be converted to virtual to maintain your access to care and ensure you are seen by a therapeutic provider. You may receive a notification informing you your appointment has been cancelled – that means the in-person portion was cancelled and converted to virtual.
Required coaching psychoeducational groups:
“What is a Psycho-Educational Group and why do I have to do it?” These groups are designed to help you understand the purpose and expectation of therapy, and to introduce coping skills. Participants are not expected to self-disclose.
Introduction to Therapy: An educational group in which members are
given an overview of therapy at Ireland Army Health Clinic (IRAHC).
Behavioral Activation: Learn the connection between thoughts, feelings,
and ways to increase activities to build a more positive mood.
Drop in and participate in any of the following groups:
Meditation: Every Monday 1200-1230 virtually. Focused on practicing
meditation and mindfulness to promote overall wellness.
Anxiety: A closed 5 session in person group Mondays 1300-1400 or
Thursdays 1000-1100. To provide support, education, and practical
techniques to improve coping when experiencing stress/anxiety.
Healing Anger: Every Tuesday 0830-1000 in person or virtually. Healing
anger through the mind, heart, and body.
Sleep Assessment: Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month 1400-1500 in
person. A single psychoeducational session that will use assessments to
determine the nature of your sleep issues, quality of sleep, and indicate a
need for a referral for a sleep study with useful tips to improve sleep.
Sleep Hygiene: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month 1430-1530 in
person. Learn how to apply individualized sleep hygiene techniques to
improve poor sleep quality and insomnia.
Parenting: An open 8 session in person group every Wednesday 0830-1000.
Discussing development, bonding and attachment, self-esteem, routines and
sleep, discipline, verbal redirection, and fair fighting.
Moral Injury: An open 4 session virtual group every Wednesday 0900-1000.
Introduction to moral injury, the change process, responsibility and guilt, and
acceptance, forgiveness, and restoration.
Healing the Write Way: Virtual group every Wednesday 1200-1230.
Focused on processing thoughts and feelings with expressive writing.
Stress Less: An open 4 session virtual group every Wednesday 1230-1330.
Education and practice in the following topics: calm breathing, progressive
muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and grounding.
Mental Health 101: Every Wednesday in person 1430-1530. Processing
group to discuss what issues, concerns, and/or problems are happening in
their lives.
Courage Group For MST: Every Thursday in person 1000-1100. A
processing group for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma or
abuse as a child or adult discussing strategies utilizing CBT principles that
may improve their well-being and quality of life.
Yoga: Virtual group every Thursday 1200-1230. Gentle/beginner somatic
movement and stretching to reduce stress and pain to promote overall
wellness and self-care.
Transitions: Every Friday 1000-1100 in person or virtually. Process through
the anxiety that comes with changes in a military career – ETS, PCS, MEB,
retirement, etc.
What TRICARE Covers
TRICARE covers medically and psychologically necessary mental health and substance use care. This includes both inpatient and outpatient care.
Getting Mental Health Care
See a Complete List of Covered Services
External Resources Supporting the Ireland Mental Health Mission:
Child Abuse / Neglect:
• IAW DoDM 6400.1, AR 608-18, Kentucky State Law, and the Kentucky/Ft. Knox MOA, all alleged or suspected child abuse/neglect is to be reported to DCBS (Child Protective Services).
• 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Mon-Fri) call 270-766-5099 / 5100 / 5101; outside duty hours call 877-597-2331
Victim of Sexual Assault:
• Call the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) Hotline 24/7 at 270-352-8185
Spouse / Intimate Partner Abuse
• IAW DoDM 6400.1,AR 608-18, and Kentucky State Law, ALL alleged or suspected spouse (intimate partner) and child abuse/neglect are to be reported to the Fort Knox MP Desk at 502-624-2111 / 2112