New DPH introduced

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  A new director of psychological health for the Montana Air National Guard is enjoying serving Airmen and their family members from her 120th Airlift Wing office.

Elizabeth Crabtree brings a wealth of experience as a behavioral health provider to the wing. A licensed clinical social worker possessing the highest level of licensure, Crabtree has experience working for the Veterans Administration and worked in similar behavioral health positions during the previous five years. She plans to begin completing educational requirements for a doctorate in social work this fall.

Crabtree says she is available to meet individually with Airmen to discuss any stressors that may affect them, whether they be work related, personal or inter-personal relationships, sleep problems, transitioning or deployment related issues.

She said her job includes meeting with groups of military members, families or the family members of Airmen, and providing command consultation when needed.       

"I'm hoping to be that liaison and provide a safe, confidential place for Airmen to come and work on themselves and also work on coping and work on their situation," Crabtee said. "I also will be able to provide some of that confidential feedback when appropriate to command so that they can see what is happening."

Crabtree recently spent time with the children of deployed military members while they were participating in the annual Camp Runnamucka, held near Monarch, Montana. She provided a behavioral health educational presentation for the older kids attending the camp.

"Everybody has behavioral health at all times of the day, how we're coping with it might be healthy or it might be unhealthy or it might be helpful or unhelpful," Crabtree said. "It shouldn't be this taboo thing because we all have it."

Crabtree said she considers military members a unique population having specific needs that may not be known to all available community resources.

"I have a lot of the schooling, experience, research, time with service members to understand a little bit better and time with family that helps them understand what family members go through," said Crabtree. "I'm not going to be biased, but I can have a better understanding so when someone comes to me I already know the picture"

Crabtree said her new job is an evolving position that will grow with new processes and looks forward to the challenges it will provide.

Crabtree's regular office hours are Monday through Friday (excluding non-scheduled flying days) 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and during regularly scheduled drills 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

MTANG members interested in setting up an appointment with Crabtree can visit her office in person or send an email request using her civilian email address located on the global email address listing. They can also locate her work phone number using the directory feature of their office telephone.