Current areas of responsibility have limited mental health (MH) support which degrades readiness and increases the possibility of personnel loss due to MH concerns. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) developed the BH GEAR training to teach medics and identified unit members skills to manage MH concerns in operational environments. BH GEAR teaches basic MH skills including how to perform an MH assessment, identify, prevent, and mitigate MH concerns, manage risks to safety, and know how to perform a medical evacuation due to MH concerns. This training is a force multiplier for MH support. It has the potential to: increase available MH resources, reduce the burden on limited MH personnel, prevent lost duty hours, and limit medical evacuation.



 
For more, watch the BH GEAR Training Story on DVIDS.

 




BH GEAR Training Description
  • 6 hours, in person, with <40 service members
  • Teaches basic MH skills, including:
    • Assessment and identification of MH issues
    • Prevention, intervention, and management techniques
    • MEDEVAC due to MH issues
  • Didactic with video discussions and demonstrations of MH skills
  • Multiple interactive components for practice opportunities, including:
    • MH assessment
    • Suicide risk assessment
    • Application of MH interventions in complex situations
   






BH GEAR Train the Trainer Course Description:
  • 3 days, in person or virtual, with <50 uniformed or civilian MH providers, medical providers, Chaplains, Religious Affairs Specialists, MH technicians, or senior level medics.
  • Teaches how to deliver the BH GEAR training, including:
    • In depth facilitation of the training
    • How to be an effective public speaker
    • Adult learning facilitation skills
  • Full training demonstration with discussion
  • Multiple training practice opportunities
Click here for a Complete Train the Trainer Overview



 


 
BH GEAR and the TTT Course have been delivered all over the World!




If you are interested in learning more about these training opportunities and/or would like to coordinate a training for your personnel, click the link below to contact our team. Please note there is a research component to participation as we are evaluating the effectiveness of these trainings.

Please register your interest by clicking here or at the QR code below!

 

Meet Our Team!

You can also contact the BH GEAR Team by emailing usarmy.detrick.medcom-wrair.mbx.bh-gear-study@health.mil.
 
Dr. Katie Nugent is a behavioral health epidemiologist who is passionate about promoting the mental health of service members. She serves as the Principal Investigator and Lead Trainer for the BH GEAR training and research efforts, and has been working in the military behavioral health field for 11 years. She also enjoys hiking, playing volleyball and is active in coaching youth sports.
CPT George Mesias is an Army Officer with over 15 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working with service members and military families.  He was one of the developers and was a trainer for the original iteration of the BH GEAR training when he was stationed at WRAIR between 2020 and 2025.
MAJ Josue Nunez is a former infantry combat veteran who has spent the last 14 years serving as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, Special Operations Command units, and COSC assets in EUCOM and CENTCOM. He recently graduated from the Child and Family Social Work Fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and now serves as one of the primary trainers for BH GEAR at WRAIR. 
Dr. Joshua Wilk is a clinical psychologist and the Branch Director of the Psychological Health Branch at WRAIR.  He has been at WRAIR for 19 years. Dr. Wilk’s research portfolio covers a wide range of military behavioral health issues, with a particular emphasis on behavioral health services delivery from the point of injury to military treatment facilities. He has been a part of the team that developed and trains BH GEAR since its inception.
Dr. Elizabeth Penix-Smith is a clinical psychologist whose clinical and research work has centered on improving military mental health, especially for trauma treatment, suicide prevention, and leveraging artificial intelligence. She has over a decade of experience within military mental health research and previously served as a staff psychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She enjoys running with her golden retriever, spending time in the outdoors, and making an occasional (bad) pun.
Ms. Kristina Clarke-Walper is the BH GEAR Study Coordinator. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and has been at WRAIR since 2010.
Ms. Mary Sampson is a Research Associate with a BA in Psychology. She has been at WRAIR since 2021.