DEAR ABBY: You printed a letter from a 13-year-old girl whose father is deployed in the Middle East. She was worried about her mother's depression. You wisely suggested that the daughter seek assistance from a trusted adult who knows her mother and can encourage her to talk to a doctor. I would like to offer some additional suggestions:
The mother's primary-care manager through her health-care provider is a good starting point for assistance. She can also find out if there is a family advocacy program available at their military base. These programs offer support groups for spouses and children.
This child and her mother are probably eligible for TRICARE, the Defense Department's health-care program for military personnel, their families and retirees. TRICARE offers a health services and support contractor to manage the family's health benefits. It offers in-person or telephone counseling and online assistance. The mother can visit www.tricare.osd.mil and request customer service using one of the toll-free numbers.
Americans must do their part to support those who are sacrificing so much in defense of our freedoms. -- JUDY BLACK, VICE PRESIDENT, TRIWEST HEALTH CARE ALLIANCE, PHOENIX DEAR JUDY: Amen to that! And thank you for offering this valuable information to the spouses of our military personnel.