In the midst of the vast Pacific Ocean, U.S. Naval Hospital Guam is revolutionizing mental health care for America’s warfighters with a groundbreaking program that’s already transforming lives and enhancing military readiness.
Since starting operations in March 2024 and being officially designated as a clinic on Dec. 10, 2024, the Military Health System’s first Crisis Stabilization Unit, the hospital has successfully treated 246 active-duty service members experiencing mental health emergencies— with only two requiring medical evacuation and four needing mental health admission. These remarkable statistics underscore both the program’s effectiveness and the hospital’s commitment to delivering world-class care to service members on Guam.
“The CSU initiative is dedicated to the psychological readiness of our warfighters who deserve quality care in a timely manner no matter the platform or location,” said Cmdr. Francine Segovia, director for mental health at USNH Guam.
The unit’s success directly supports the hospital’s mission of projecting forward-deployed medical power and delivering high-quality care to strengthen warfighter readiness in the Pacific region.
Before the CSU opened, service members experiencing mental health crises faced limited options: either endure long wait times in a busy emergency room or schedule an outpatient appointment that could take weeks to secure. For those requiring more intensive care, medical evacuation off-island meant spending an average of four weeks away from their unit for treatment and travel and often required a non-medical attendant, resulting in up to eight weeks of total lost operational duties.
The CSU has dramatically changed this scenario by providing an alternative possibility for treatment. Operating as a “one-stop shop” for mental health care, the unit provides comprehensive services including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, monitoring, referral, and transition services—all within a few hours.
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