Changing Culture to Meet Demand: A Critical Discussion on the Future of Specialty Mental Health with Col. Elisha Parkhill Pippin

Successful decrease in the stigma toward mental health services has led to an increase in the number of Service Members seeking care, resulting in challenges to military mental health providers and systems in meeting the increased demand. In this episode, Dr. Ethan Bannar sits down with Colonel Elisha Parkhill Pippin, Director of Psychological Health for the United States Air Force, to discuss her 2024 article in the Air Force Times and her recommendations for balancing evidence-based practice with satisfaction-based medicine. Together they explore the current difficulties faced by providers, the impact of homegrown/unit-based efforts to meet the increasing needs of the force, and discuss ways that providers can utilize available resources to better serve the populace. Tune in to hear more about the Air Force Targeted Care Initiative and Mental Health Strategic Initiatives Group, aiming to change the culture surrounding evidence-based practice in our Armed Forces!Col. Pippin can be reached at elisha.p.pippin.mil@health.mil, and her article can be found here: https://www.airforcetimes.com/opinion/2024/05/20/mental-health-professionals-overlooked-in-air-forces-resilience-push/Want to get connected with our team or guests? Have feedback, suggestions, or recommendations? Send us an email at milpsychpodcast@gmail.com