Stress management team helps when it counts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katie Booher
  • 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. (AFPN) --  Life-altering events have different effects on people, and a team of stress management specialists here help people deal with these events.

The critical-incident stress management team features specialists trained to help prevent or mitigate stress when a sudden death, tragedy, serious injury or threatening situation happens. People that witness or experience a traumatic event may experience thoughts and changes in their life they have a hard time understanding, and the team offers them the tools they need to adapt and overcome.

The best thing to do after a stressful incident is for people to take care of themselves, said Capt. Katharine Schaible, 5th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy officer.

“After a very stressful event, it is important to get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise and talk to someone about what you are going through,” she said. “If you find it difficult to talk with someone, write it down in a diary or journal. It is best to express what you are feeling in some fashion instead of repressing it.

“You should avoid caffeine, tobacco and alcohol as much as possible,” the captain said. “Caffeine and tobacco are stimulants and can interfere with your ability to relax, especially during events that are anxiety provoking. Alcohol, a depressant, can influence your judgment. People under the influence of alcohol sometimes do things they might not do when sober -- things they may regret later.”

Chaplains are other key members of the team since people experiencing extraordinary stress sometimes need to address their spiritual needs as well, said Chaplain (Maj.) Rex Williams, 5th Bomb Wing chaplain.

“The CISM team is led by a mental health-care provider. Peer support personnel also facilitate the debrief of the people under stress,” he said. “The role of the chaplain is to flesh out the spiritual dimension of their reactions to stress and make sure the spiritual dimension is addressed.”

Captain Schaible outlined some basic steps people under serious stress can take to help them feel better.

“People should spend time with others and do things that feel good to them,” the captain said. “They should keep their routine busy but as normal as possible. Now isn’t the time to make any big lifestyle changes.”

After something bad happens, people sometimes believe they have lost control of their lives, Captain Schaible said. While people’s ability to influence events going on around them is limited, they can always choose how they respond to life’s challenges.

The key to relieving stress is to choose methods of coping that have a long-term benefit. Besides sleep, diet, exercise and limiting substance use, people can also relieve stress by giving themselves permission to feel bad for awhile, sharing feelings with someone they trust, and looking for ways to make their lives more predictable or pleasant.

Captain Schaible recommends friends and family members be good listeners when dealing with someone experiencing stress.

“Let them know you are there if they need you,” she said. “Giving the person some private time and helping with daily chores like cleaning, cooking and caring for the family can also ease a person’s mind.”