MANAGING STRESS RELATED TO WORK AND/OR IN RESPONSE TO DISASTERS
Flag Voice 301
Events such as last year’s Katrina, Rita, and Wilma hurricanes
remind us that our people routinely perform dangerous operations under very
hazardous and stressful conditions. The purpose of this Flag Voice is to
highlight for you some key talking points from the ALCOAST I released under
the same title. It describes possible reactions to disasters or extremely
stressful situations, offers practical suggestions, and encourages the use
of available services to help lower stress levels and maximize effective
coping.
Our first responders, who were involved with post-hurricane operations and
witnessed the devastation, may experience thoughts and feelings that are
difficult to express or even understand. Symptoms of stress in these
individuals may include uncharacteristic avoidance of friends and shipmates,
greater irritability, second-guessing their own actions, increased use of
alcohol, and a general feeling of disillusionment. Sometimes this might show
up as a vague feeling that something is not right, or a person may feel they
are just not getting back in the groove of their normal daily life. Good
leadership and listening skills within the unit are often enough to help
individuals resolve these issues. However, if symptoms persist, the wise
thing for our folks to do is seek help.
The following is a list of some tried and true methods for helping our folks
and their loved ones recover from an emotional upheaval. Take things one
small step at a time. Stay in contact with others. Friends and family
members may offer support and validation, as well as encouragement. It is
often self healing to find ways to help others. Offering aid to others can
help you gain a sense of control over your own circumstances and improve
your emotional well-being. Set up new routines or return to old ones that
bring you comfort. Try to eat well-balanced meals, exercise, and rest on a
regular schedule. Make an effort to spend time with your friends and family.
Limit the number of challenging jobs you attempt each day, and don’t try to
do too much at one time. Our folks need to give themselves time to recover.
They should take time each day to think about something that makes them feel
happy, be patient with their emotions, and avoid alcohol.
The Coast Guard Employee Assistance Program is available at 1-800-222-0364.
This number can also be used to schedule local one-on-one meetings with a
counselor. Counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The TRICARE program is another resource available to assist our members and
their families experiencing these types of life-changing events. A TRICARE
primary care manager, or a regional TRICARE contractor, can be contacted via
the TRICARE website at
www.tricare.osd.mil and the telephone numbers listed under Contact Us.
For additional resources and programs designed to help relieve stress, the Work-Life staff at our Integrated Support Commands can be contacted at 1-800-872-4957, followed by the extension for a particular location.
Regards,
RADM
Cliff Pearson
RADM Clifford I. Pearson
Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
Issue date: 10/10/06