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Andersen agencies help Airmen, families cope with holiday stress

  • Published
  • By By Airman 1st Class Whitney Tucker
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
The holiday season is a time for joyful smiles and priceless moments with friends and family. But for some, surviving the holidays away from loved ones, reindeer sweaters and cherished traditions may seem to be more of a challenge than a celebration.

Numerous agencies at Andersen, and Air Force bases across the globe, provide programs and assistance to those who are feeling a little less than jolly this holiday season.

"There are multiple stressors that military members and their families face during the holiday season," said Maj. Doreen Tomasi, 36th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight commander. "Separation from family, living in a new and unfamiliar environment, deployments, temporary duties and financial issues all impact the stress levels we face."

"We face stress 365 days a year," she continued. "But often, people find themselves needing additional help when the stressors are coming in from multiple areas of life at the same time. The holidays can contribute to every day stress and feel overwhelming."

Mental Health Flight officials provide ongoing counseling services to active-duty Airmen.

Major Tomasi encourages Airmen to embrace the wingman concept year-round and recognize when Airmen need help coping.

"Our mental health, like our physical health, is part of our resiliency and responsibility as Airmen," she said. "We need to be willing to go outside of ourselves and recognize the signs that our wingman may be feeling alone or overwhelmed. This is something we need to practice 24/7, not just during the holidays."

If an Airman is struggling with substance abuse, dependency issue or addictive behavior, they can receive help through the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.

Though there are exceptions to the rule, most Airmen who capitalize on the programs available move forward without any problems.

"As with any medical appointment, there are limits to confidentiality," the major said. "However, the vast majority of members who receive help in the mental health clinic have no impact on their duty status or career. By coming in for help early, a member will decrease the likelihood of a negative impact. The longer the issue is left untreated, the more likely it is that it will lead to problems at work or home."

The mental health clinic isn't the only agency that extends a helping hand. Outside the clinic, other avenues for assistance are readily available.

Airman and Family Readiness Center officials provide several programs to assist in relieving holiday stress.

"A big stressor for families is being separated during the holiday season," said Cheryl Dollard, A&FRC work life specialist. "For our deployed families, we host monthly social activities and deployed family dining to boost morale and connect families together. In addition, our deployed families can sign up to receive weekly morale calls to keep in touch with their deployed spouse."

Other services offered by many A&FRCs include individual financial assistance and seminars in an array of areas, including budgeting, saving, debt management and investing.

"Overspending during the holiday season can also be a cause for seasonal stress," Ms. Dollard said. "We have several classes and programs in place to help members get back on track if need be."

The center also offers a military family life consultant to assist with those having relationship problems.

"Relationship issues can be very stressful and magnified during the holiday season," Ms. Dollard said. "The military family life consultant can provide individual counseling to assist in building healthy relationships and provides the aspect of anonymity. In addition, the A&FRC provides seminars on relationship enhancement and divorce support."

If it's a spiritual plight, Airmen can seek assistance through a base chapel. Chaplains provide pastoral counseling and help with spiritual support for all members and their families. Chapels also provide programs that offer faith-based learning and opportunities to meet new people.

Military families can also receive mental health, educational and financial services and more through Military One Source. The 24-hour phone service can be reached at (800) 342-9647.

No matter what stress reduction option an Airman or family member may choose during the holiday season, whether they seek help from the clinic or work out their frustrations in the gym, the option takes them one step closer to a less-stressed life and a happier holiday season.

"Stress is stress any time of the year," Major Tomasi said. "Sometimes we associate it more evidently around the holidays, but just like the wingman concept, it is about acting 365 days a year and learning how to manage stress in a healthy way so that we never hit that tipping point."