HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – The installation’s newly appointed Employee Assistance Program counselor is bringing more than a decade of experience in mental health and employee wellness to Team Hanscom, with plans to expand outreach, improve access to services, and reinforce readiness across the civilian workforce.
Elliot DiTusa, a licensed mental health professional, recently joined the base after serving in similar roles in higher education, including at the University of California, Berkeley.
“This work is really about helping people navigate challenges early, effectively, and comfortably,” he said. “EAP is designed to support the whole person, professionally and personally, and it’s here to make life a little more manageable for anyone who needs it.”
The EAP program provides confidential, no-cost services for Department of the Air Force civilians and their household members. The program offers short-term, solution-focused counseling; financial and legal consultations; and a wide range of work-life resources, including help with child care, elder care, and other everyday needs.
Employees can contact the 24/7 hotline to access services at 866-580-9078, meet with a local counselor on base, or request referral support to a provider in their community.
“Whether someone is dealing with stress, burnout, family issues, finances, or just wants a check-in, EAP is meant to be accessible and preventative,” he said. “Many people try counseling for the first time through an EAP. My goal is to make that experience welcoming and practical.”
He noted that counseling sessions emphasize active listening, empathy, and usable strategies employees can apply immediately.
DiTusa will be on base three days per week and plans to partner closely with helping agencies and unit leaders to understand emerging needs, coordinate support, and identify areas where additional outreach may be helpful.
“In these early months, a big focus is visibility,” he said. “Meeting units, sharing materials, attending events, and helping people understand where to go when they need support.”
He added that collaboration with the installation’s network of support organizations allows for early identification of concerns that may impact well-being, morale, or readiness.
DiTusa said he looks forward to meeting personnel across the installation and serving as a resource as civilians continue supporting Hanscom’s mission to deliver installation excellence and enable readiness across the enterprise.
“People work hard here and carry a lot,” he said. “If I can help lighten some of that load and support the team’s overall well-being, that’s the goal.