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DCoE provides inTransition, a voluntary program to assist service members moving between health care systems or providers while receiving behavioral health care. The purpose of the program is to provide continuity of care for service members who are transitioning – separating from the military, relocating or returning to civilian life. With the assistance of a transition support coach, the service member is provided with guidance, resources and tools in order to empower them to make healthy life choices during their transition.

We’ve provided you with an example of the assistance provided to a service member through the inTransition program below. All identifying information has been removed to keep confidentiality of the service member.

We began working with an Army service member diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) after he served multiple tours before being discharged. After weeks of corresponding with his inTransition coach, the service member informed his coach of his intention to quit treatment and discontinue prescribed medication, without consulting with his physician. Immediately, the coach advised him against this because of the possible risks.

Initially, while the coach was not successful in gaining agreement from the service member to stay on medication and cooperate with connecting to a gaining provider, the coach did establish themselves as a resource for the service member.

A few weeks later, and in a crisis, the service member contacted a local resource previously identified by his coach in case of an emergency. The resource directed him to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital for immediate care and recommended admission. This wasn’t what the service member wanted to hear and he refused to go. One of his concerns was about the cost of treatment. The next day however, the service member called his inTransition coach asking for assistance with finding an outpatient treatment provider and a psychiatrist. Knowing the service member’s concerns regarding the cost of treatment, the coach sent listings of local agencies that work on a sliding fee scale.

The coach discussed the possibility of going back to the VA, but the service member remained reluctant, concerned he’d have to be admitted. The coach then emphasized the need for assistance with medication management and outpatient therapy as suggestions to help keep him out of the hospital. The coach also encouraged him to contact the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom care manager at the VA and even offered to call with him on the line, to ease any worries the service member was feeling.

The personal coach was able to help connect the service member to the care manager and after securing an appointment at the VA, he began seeing the outpatient therapist regularly. Further, the service member allowed his inTransition coach to share information directly with his new provider, something that coaches do often on behalf of the service member.

Weeks later, the coach followed up to ensure satisfaction with the new provider. The service member was pleased with his new provider and was following all treatment regimens. In his own words, he was “getting back on track” and thanked the inTransition coach for the support.

In this case, without the assistance of the transition support coach, it is very likely this service member would have disengaged from treatment and been hospitalized. The motivation, resources and assistance provided by the coach allowed the service member to feel empowered.

The stress experienced during a transition can add to the challenges servicemen and women already face while in treatment for mental health conditions. Our mission is to help keep service members engaged in treatment during such times.

If you’re a service member, you can enroll yourself in the program or your current provider/case manager can help do it for you. For more information, please call 800-424-7877 24/7 or visit us at www.health.mil/inTransition.