Helping normal people during abnormal situations

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Matt Wunderlin
  • 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MADISON, Wis. --  Ellen Magee, Wing Director of Psychological Health, responds to the query "Describe your position in the wing."

"I offer immediate support for you and your family until you are either "good to go" or have connected with more long-term support in your community. My goal is to help you deal with your issue successfully.

"I assist you by meeting with you or your family members for individual counseling or family and marriage counseling. I help you to deal with a crisis, and I teach coping and life skills. My services are confidential except if you are a danger to yourself or someone else. I will report progress to your supervisor only with your written permission.

"I do not do fitness for duty evaluations, but at your request, I can do an assessment and help you set up a plan to solve your issue. Your supervisor or someone in the Medical Group may ask you to meet with me, but you must volunteer to come.

"I serve both the 115th and Volk Field.

"Although we are changing the culture in the National Guard, seeking help for yourself or a family member can still be difficult. This is why the wing is moving toward offering more in the way of peer support. Wingmen helping Wingmen is what we do in the Air Guard. Some of your wingmen have recently helped me to plan more peer-to-peer programming.

"Feel free to offer me feedback and ideas.

"Thank you for welcoming me into the wing. I especially want to thank those of you who have trusted me and shared your issue so that I could help a friend or family member. My office is next to the Chaplain's on 2nd floor in Building 500. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments are recommended on drill weekends.

"My hours are Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1600 except the week there is a down day- then 0700 to 1700. I work on drill weekends starting at 0700, but am off the Monday before drill. My Volk Field office hours are every other drill weekend and by appointment."

Ellen can be reached at 608-245-4310 (office) or 608-234-8820 (after hours). You can email her at ellen.magee.ctr@ang.af.mil