AURORA, Colo. -- An Army Reserve unit committed to the emotional needs of servicemen and women in Iraq gathered with family and friends Wednesday ahead of a yearlong deployment.

"We're individuals who have a background in mental health," said Maj. Madeline Belarde, a psychiatric nurse and commander for the 1835th Medical Detachment Combat Stress Control.

Belarde said the primary mission is to reach out to troops who may be struggling with combat stress, anger management and other individual, emotional issues.

"It could be that they're homesick, that they're dealing with a loss of a family member, or it could be a coping skill of 'what do I do for a year in Iraq?'" Belarde said.

The 1835th will be seeing troops in clinics and in the field, according to Belarde.

Belarde's family joined her and her fellow soldiers for a farewell ceremony Wednesday at the American Legion 23 in Aurora.

"It helps knowing she's anxious to get out there," said Chris Aguilar, Belarde's son.

Belarde said the deployment is the second tour of duty for the majority of the unit. Pfc. Lauren Dougherty will be heading over for the first time.

"I'm anxious and nervous," Dougherty said.

Both of Dougherty's parents have served in the U.S. military.

"I just hope they'll be doing OK when I'm gone," Dougherty said.

The Combat Stress Control unit will head for a month of additional training at Fort Lewis in Washington, D.C, Thursday, before working in and around Iraq for about a year.