BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 44-172
13 NOVEMBER 2015
Certified Current 23 April 2020
Medical Operations
MENTAL HEALTH
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available on the e-Publishing website at
www.e-Publishing.af.mil for downloading or ordering.
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AFMOA/SGHW Certified by: AF/SG3/5
(Maj Gen Dorothy A. Hogg)
Pages: 76
This instruction implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 44-1, Medical Operations;
Public Laws 101-510 and 102-484. It incorporates requirements outlined in Department of
Defense Instruction (DODI) 6490.04, Mental Health Evaluations of Members of the Military
Services; DODI 6490.08, Command Notification Requirements to Dispel Stigma in Providing
Mental Health Care to Service Members; DODI 6490.09, DoD Directors of Psychological
Health; DODI 6490.10, Continuity of Behavioral Health Care for Transferring and
Transitioning Service Members; DODI 6490.11, DoD Policy Guidance for Management of Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion in the Deployed Setting; DODI 6490.13, Comprehensive
Policy on Neurocognitive Assessments by the Military Services; DODI 6490.15, Integration of
Behavioral Health Personal Services Into Patient-Centered Medical Home Primary Care and
Other Primary Care Service Settings; and Assistant Secretary of Defense/Health Affairs
Memorandum, Military Treatment Facility Mental Health Outcomes Guidance, 9 September
2013. This instruction provides guidance for the operation of the Mental Health (MH) services
[as distinguished from the Combat Stress Center, Disaster Mental Health (DMH) operations, and
Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)] and the assessment and treatment of USAF
personnel and beneficiaries with MH concerns. It establishes rules for confidentiality, defines
conditions requiring communication between Mental Health Providers (MHP) and
Commanders/supervisors, and outlines the scope for the Limited Privilege Suicide Prevention
(LPSP) Program. This instruction applies to all active component Air Force (AF) members and
members of the Air National Guard (ANG) when activated under Title 10 active duty in the Air
National Guard of the United States (ANGUS) status and Air Force Reserve (AFR) IMAs and
unit-based personnel that are on Title 10 active duty orders for even one or two days and
