Behavioral health trends throughout a 9-month Brigade Combat Team deployment to Afghanistan

This descriptive report details primarily qualitative information on behavioral health capabilities, utilization, and referral rates for a Stryker Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan for 9 months from 2012 to 2013. Limited quantitative data on standardized risk assessments throughout the deployment cycle are presented. Initial data on the postdeployment care at an embedded behavioral health clinic are also provided, with referral data comparing pre- and postdeployment periods. Lessons learned for providing brigade-level behavioral health services during combat deployments are discussed, including consultation with the rear detachment, utilization of telehealth assets, and distributing the network of care throughout the battlespace.