D-M agencies, programs help Airmen, families manage holiday stress Published Dec. 15, 2010 By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The holiday season brings to most joyful smiles triggered by good deeds, gift-giving and priceless moments with friends and family. But for some, it brings a sense of worry, self-doubt, frustration and agony as personal relationships crumble, financial issues burden and depression eats away at the backs of minds. Individuals experiencing the tougher side of life this holiday season need not be alone. Numerous agencies throughout the 355th Fighter Wing provide programs and assistance to those who find themselves drowning in a financial quagmire or suffering through holiday stress. Maj. Robert Williams, 355th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight commander, and his staff play a vital role in aiding those who seek help through the rocky paths of life. "There are multiple stressors that face our D-M families," Major Williams explained. "Long work hours, separation from family, deployments, temporary duties and financial issues all impact the stress levels we face. As with any time of year, when members face multiple challenges at once, it creates more problems. Often people find themselves needing additional help when the stressors are coming in from multiple areas of life at the same time." The mental health flight provides ongoing counseling services to Active Duty members. Major Williams encourages Airmen to embrace the wingman concept and recognize when Airmen need help coping. "Our mental health, like our physical health, is part of our resiliency and responsibility as Airmen," Major Williams said. "We need to be sure that we are willing to support other Airmen in their mental health needs just as we would in their physical health needs. Sending someone to get help before they have a problem is like sending someone to the Health and Wellness Center before they fail the PT test." If an Airman is struggling with a 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, according to Major Williams. "As with any medical appointment there are limits to confidentiality, however, over 97 percent of the members who receive help in the mental health clinic have no impact on their duty status or career," said Capt. Andrew Shelley, 355th MDOS Mental Health and ADAPT Element chief. "By coming in for help early, a member will decrease the likelihood of a negative impact." The mental health clinic isn't the only agency within the 355th Medical Group extending a helping hand. The Family Advocacy Office offers the New Parent Support Program, designed to help families dealing with the stress of raising young children. The program is available to expectant families and families with children up to the age of three. The program is only the tip of the iceberg in what family advocacy offers. "Family advocacy is designed to deal with response, prevention and treatment of family maltreatment," Major Williams said. "Open cases of family maltreatment receive top priority. Preventive counseling is provided as available. Additionally, family advocacy has multiple classes, including anger management, stress management, couples communication and parenting." Outside the clinic, other avenues for assistance are readily available. The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides several programs to assist in relieving holiday stress. "A big stressor for families is being separated during the holiday season," said Heidi Meisterling, 355th Force Support Squadron chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "For our deployed families, we host monthly social activities and 'Deployed Family Dining' to boost morale and connect families together. In addition, most of our deployed families use weekly morale calls to keep in touch with their deployed spouse." Other services offered by the A&FRC include individual financial assistance and seminars in an array of areas, including budgeting, saving, debt management and investing. "If one finds that they have overspent during the holiday season, the Airman and Family Readiness Center is prepared to get them back on track for the new year and hopefully years to come," Mrs. Meisterling said. 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," Mrs. Meisterling stated. "The military family life consultant can provide individual counseling to assist in building healthy relationships. In addition, the A&FRC provides seminars on relationship enhancement and divorce support." If it's a spiritual plight, Airmen can seek assistance through the base chapel. Chaplains provide pastoral counseling and help with spiritual support for all members and their families. The chapel also provides programs that offer faith-based learning and opportunities to meet new people. Military families may also seek assistance through Military One Source. The 24-hour phone service can refer active duty members and their families to services downtown. They provide mental health, educational, financial services and more to military families. 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. "Stress is stress any time of the year," Major Williams said. "Sometimes we associate it more evidently around the holidays. The important message is the Air Force has created multiple ways for people to receive help. The role of the member is to ask for and receive the help. Additionally, we can be good wingmen, and if we recognize others in need, we can help them reach out to one of the many available resources provided." Airmen and families in need of assistance can contact the following agencies for more information on their services: Mental Health - 228-4926 Family Advocacy - 228-2104 Chaplains - 228-5411 A&FRC - 228-5690 Military One Source - 800-342-9647