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Operational Stress

Operational Stress. Unique Challenges as Reservists . Reserves vs. Active Duty Support (medical, admin) Civilian (They don ’ t understand) Family (isolated from other USCG families) Financial? Employment . Combat Operational Stress Continuum (COSC). Individual Responsibility. Good to go

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Operational Stress

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  1. Operational Stress

  2. Unique Challenges as Reservists Reserves vs. Active Duty Support (medical, admin) Civilian (They don’t understand) Family (isolated from other USCG families) Financial? Employment

  3. Combat Operational Stress Continuum (COSC) Individual Responsibility • Good to go • Well trained • Prepared • Fit and tough • Cohesive units, ready families • Distress or impairment • Mild, transient • Anxious or irritable • Behaviorchange • More severe or persistent distress or impairment • Leaves lasting evidence (personality change) • Stress injuries that don’t heal without intervention • Diagnosable • PTSD • Depression • Anxiety • Addictive Disorder Chaplain & Medical Responsibility Leader Responsibility

  4. Stress Outcome Spectrum: Reactions VersusInjuries Stress Reactions Stress Injuries • Less common • May leave a scar • More severe distress or loss of function • May heal faster with help • Common • Always temporary • Mild distress or loss of function • Self-correcting

  5. Four Sources of Stress Injury Ready Reacting Injured Ill Trauma Wear & Tear Inner Conflict Loss • A life-threat stress injury • Close brush with death • Terror, horror, helplessness • A grief injury • Loss of cher-ished people or things • Guilt, sadness, longing • A fatigue injury • Accumulation of all stress over time • Depression, anxiety • A moral/betrayal injury • Violation of deeply held beliefs • Anger, shame, revenge, guilt

  6. Monitor and be a good observer of stress continuum changes in your peers Leadership (or friendship if peer) “by walking around” Encourage unit cohesion Short informal 1:1 conversations; availability COSC is preventive in nature Be able to identify on the COSC Continuum, and refer Others for stress related problems Encourage to find the appropriate level of assistance COSC Leadership Skills

  7. Individual Stress Management Skills Physical Fitness to Maintain Stress Resilience Breathing to Focus and Calm Simplest – consciously slow down your breathing, make it deeper Methodical Deep Breathing –full exhale/inhale, hold, relax, release, repeat (no more than 3) Prayer or Meditation for Spiritual Resilience Meditation Listening – Close eyes, breath deeply, let daily troubles fade, focus on the sounds around you Centering – do above, then imagine descending down into yourself, look for peace and silence, letting negative thoughts fade away

  8. Individual Stress Coping Skills Journaling or Expressive Writing to Clear Your Head Journaling Writing about your experiences is very healing, and records your personal and family history Expressive Writing Writing with the intent to come to terms with the emotions and all the parts of the memories of an event has proven to be very helpful for long-term mental health Writing to Heal, by James Pennebaker Hobbies

  9. Suicide Prevention and Awareness

  10. Suicide Prevention Warning Signs • Talks about committing suicide • Has trouble eating or sleeping • Relationship difficulties • Experiences drastic changes in behavior • Withdraws from friends and/or social activities • Loses interest in hobbies, work, school, etc. • Prepares for death by making out a will and final arrangements • Rehearses the suicide • Takes unnecessary risks • Has had recent severe losses • Is preoccupied with death and dying • Loses interest in their personal appearance • Increases use of alcohol or drugs • Impulsive anger behavior • Legal or financial trouble • Isolation or withdrawal • Gives away prized possessions • Previous attempts

  11. The Aftermath • “Why did he do this….to me?” • “What could I have done?” • Pain that has no resolution • Spouse, parents, children, friends who bare the stigma

  12. The Aftermath • Financial • Emotional • Spiritual • Work • Memorial? Honors? “he bailed out on us”

  13. Warning Signs/Risk Factors Financial problems Relationship problems Access to a weapon Transitions (PCS, Retirement, Discharge, Post Deployment) Prolonged exposure to stress, especially combat Pending disciplinary action

  14. There is no “Type” CDR, USN, CHC—PTSD from Vietnam

  15. Protective Factors Belief that it is okay to ask for help. Optimistic outlook. Effective coping and problem-solving skills. Social and family support. Sense of belonging to a group or organization.

  16. Protective Factors Supportive Marriage. Physical activity. Participation and membership in a community. A measure of personal control in life and its circumstances. Religious or spiritual connectedness. Unit cohesion and camaraderie. Peer support.

  17. What To Do Take threats serious Answer cries for help Be a listener Be direct with the question “Have you thought about hurting or killing yourself?” if so “Do you have a plan/means to do so?” Get help—Medical, chaplain, OOD, ER, Work Life

  18. What Not To Do Leave them alone Assume they are not the type Act shocked Keep it a secret Make moral judgments

  19. How EOD Marines have fun!

  20. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE, GET HELP!

  21. Stress Management Professional Resources Chain of Command Emergency Room/Medical Chaplains http://www.uscg.mil/chaplains/ LCDR Mike McConville (910)545-6976 Vet Centers (www.va.gov/rcs) Safeline 877-995-5247 CG support (EAP) - www.cgsuprt.com 1-855-CGSUPRT (247-8778)

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