October is filled with numerous health and wellness observations ranging from World Smile Day, observed on Oct. 7, to Mental Illness Awareness Week, observed Oct. 2-8.

“At NMCSD we are excited to bring attention to efforts that help our staff and visiting beneficiaries take advantage of services directed at improving their health and wellness,” said Jacqueline Arvizu, Health and Wellness Department division officer.

At its core the health and wellness of our force is a fundamental component of a medically ready force.

“Our department’s aim is to help ensure that we do everything possible to contribute to the readiness component of our mission, and with these outreach efforts we are here to help make incremental and profound differences in peoples’ quality of life,” added Arvizu.

NMCSD’s Health and Wellness department subscribes to the belief that health and wellness is the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health. Optimal health is defined as a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, and intellectual health.



“Whenever someone is committed to making lifestyle changes, that’s when optimal health can be achieved,” expressed Arvizu. “We want more of the healthy habits to manifest and less of the habits that may lead to illness, disability, or premature death.”

It is these preventative health care activities that should positively influence the whole spectrum of care from the healthiest to those needing support and assistance dealing with disease or disability.

The remainder of the week’s Health and Wellness themes are:

Tuesday - Importance of Self-Care
Wednesday - Breast Cancer Awareness
Thursday - Substance Abuse Awareness
Friday - Importance of Mindfulness, Resilience, and Wisdom Building

“Sometimes it’s just a matter of connecting our staff and beneficiaries with our abundance of resources that are at their disposal,” said Arvizu.

NMCSD’s Health and Wellness resources are available to TRICARE beneficiaries, civilian staff, and contractors. For additional information, contact NMCSD’s Health and Wellness department at 619-532-7764.

NMCSD's mission is to prepare service members to deploy in support of operational forces, deliver high quality healthcare services and shape the future of military medicine through education, training and research. NMCSD employs more than 6,000 active duty military personnel, civilians and contractors in Southern California to provide patients with world-class care anytime, anywhere.