Support agencies help Airmen, families manage holiday stress Published Dec. 20, 2010 By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- The holiday season can bring joyful smiles and priceless moments with friends and family. But for some, it can bring a sense of worry, self-doubt, frustration and agony. Numerous agencies at Air Force bases provide programs and assistance to those who are experiencing the tougher side of life this holiday season. "There are multiple stressors that face (Air Force) families," said Maj. Robert Williams, the 355th Medical Operations Squadron mental health flight commander. "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," he said. "Often, people find themselves needing additional help when the stressors are coming in from multiple areas of life at the same time." Mental health flight officials provide ongoing counseling services to active-duty Airmen. 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 (physical training) 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, the 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 that extends a helping hand. Family advocacy office officials offer 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 3 years old. However, family advocacy offices offer much more. "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. 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 Heidi Meisterling, the Airman and family readiness center chief here. "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 many AFRCs 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 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. "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," he said.