Commander's Commentary: Getting safely through the holidays

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Thomas Cheatham
  • Commander, 18th Medical Operations Squadron
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Safety is a major concern for commanders during the holiday season. Mishaps tend to increase during this time of year as Airmen and their families celebrate the holidays. For most, this time of year is filled with parties, gift-giving, family, faith and friends.

For others, the holidays can be difficult: hectic schedules, financial strain, cold and flu symptoms, and distance from family and friends for those deployed or living overseas may serve to increase stress levels, resulting in a corresponding increase in alcohol-related incidents and various kinds of accidents, financial problems, family violence, loneliness, and even thoughts of suicide.

Fortunately, there is a wealth of resources available to every member of Team Kadena: active duty members, spouses, children - everyone. Part of being a good Wingman includes watching for signs of depression and suicide.

First, it starts with recognizing the warning signs: changes in sleep patterns, low energy, fatigue, body aches, lack of motivation, poor concentration, increased anger, sadness, crying more than usual, feeling like you "just don't care," changes in appetite, not taking care of yourself like you usually do, feeling hopeless or worthless, and thoughts about death can all indicate the onset of depression. Remember, don't just look for these warning signs in others, but check yourself as well.

If you recognize these warning signs in someone, take the time to talk with them honestly and openly. Show that you care and express your concern. Give them a chance to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Don't worry about bringing up the subject of suicide with them - it will not increase their risk.

If they are having thoughts of suicide, do not leave them alone: spend time with them and get them help. Help can include a chaplain, doctor, first sergeant, or a Mental Health professional. During duty hours, take them to the Mental Health building; for after-hours care, go to the Lester Hospital emergency room. Call 911/119 for emergencies. Above all, do not take them out drinking. Alcohol always makes things worse--it worsens anxiety and depression and lowers inhibitions, making people more likely to do things they would not normally do.

One Airman or family member lost to suicide is one too many. Since the inception of the Air Force's Suicide Prevention Program in 1997, suicide rates have dropped significantly. This suggests that keeping suicide awareness on the forefront pays dividends in lives saved.

Let's all spread a little holiday cheer and take care of each other this season!


Editor's note: Maj. Kathleen Crimmins, Maj. Carolina Nisenoff, and Capt. Aron Potter contributed to this article.


Resources for help:

1. Talk to a friend, coworker, family member, supervisor or first sergeant if you are having trouble.

2. The Airman and Family Readiness Center can help with adapting to life on Okinawa, communicating better, financial management, deployment issues, employment, and transitioning out of the military. Call 634-3366 or go to www.kadenaservices.com/afrc.

3. The Military and Family Life Consultants provide help with anger management, communication, parenting, relationship issues, homesickness, building resilience, deployment issues, loss and grief, homesickness and more. Hours are flexible, solutions are emphasized, and no records are kept. Help is also available for children and adolescents. Call 634-3915 for Kadena or 644-4174 for Torii.

4. Military One Source provides 24/7 help with counseling via telephone or instant messaging online with licensed providers, can help with education, childcare and elder care, financial resources, relocation information, deployment support, tax services, and have a wealth of information available on their website, www.militaryonesource.com.

5. Sexual Assault, Prevention and Response (SAPR) provides 24/7 on-call response for victims of sexual assault. Call 634-SARC.

6. Japanese Spouses Support Services can help with intercultural issues, marital conflict, or just transitioning into military life. Call 645-2915.

7. Kadena Youth Mentor Program provides teens with a mentor for friendship, support and planning for the future. 634-2231 or 634-4472.

8. Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) has stress management classes in addition to classes on fitness, nutrition, pregnancy and tobacco cessation. 634-8197.

9. Chaplain Counseling Services include spiritual guidance, individual and couples counseling, and marriage retreats. 634-1288.

10. Camp Foster Counseling and Advocacy Program offers multiple groups, classes and workshops on everything from local national spouse issues to domestic violence intervention, women's education and stress and anger management. 645-2915.

11. The Behavioral Health Consultant can help you develop a program to manage insomnia, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux (heartburn), high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic pain and stress management. Services for kids include help with ADHD and encopresis/enuresis. Services are limited to those empanelled to AF Family Practice and Pediatrics clinics, and are by referral from your primary care manager.

12. Families OverComing Under Stress (FOCUS ) Project offers resiliency-building programs for military families and children. 645-6077.

13. Employee Assistance Program provides help to civilian employees and their family members, including stress management, coping skills, work performance, substance abuse, deployment issues and relocation and transitional assistance. 644-4114.

14. New Parent Support Program offers home visits by a registered nurse and education on pregnancy, parenting, sibling rivalry, single parenting, discipline issues and potty training. Services are for parents of children 0 to 3. 634-0433.

15. Family Advocacy Strength Based Therapy (FAST): Short-term and prevention services, couple's counseling, family counseling, parenting skills, stress and anger management and conflict resolution. 634-0433.

16. Family Advocacy Program offers help with anger management, couple's communication, Family Advocacy Safety Education Seminar (FASES), Fatherhood Academy, Parent Café and Positive Parenting as well as Maltreatment Intervention Services. 634-0433.

17. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) provides outreach and education services, evaluations and treatment for substance issues. Services on Kadena are limited to Air Force active duty and family members only. 634-1266.

18. Kadena Mental Health services include individual psychotherapy, medication management, psychological evaluations and testing, special duty evaluations, commander-directed evaluations, and groups for Stress Management and Coping with Emotions. Call 634-1266.

19. USNH Okinawa Emergency Room at Camp Lester provides 24/7 care for emergencies, including evaluations for suicidal and homicidal thoughts and inpatient hospitalization for adults if determined to be appropriate. Call 643-7555, or call 911 from on-base or 119 from off-base.

Additional Resources from the Web:

1. The Air Force Suicide Prevention Program has made a big impact on reducing suicides in the military community. The official web site can be found at www.afspp.afms.mil, and includes a number of resources including the Leaders Guide to Managing Personnel in Distress and the Landing Gear program.

2. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Their website is www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/. (Accessed 15 Oct 2009.)

3. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center can be found at www.sprc.org. (Accessed 15 Oct 2009.)

4. The National Institute of Mental Health is a branch of the National Institutes of Health and is one of the many Federal resources for promoting awareness and treatment of mental health issues. www.nimh.nih.gov. (Accessed 15 Oct 2009.)

5. "Healthy Minds " is a series of programs created for public television and covering different topics in mental health and brings a human face to different problems. It can be viewed at: www.wliw.org/productions/local/healthy-minds/season-two-overview/164/. (Last accessed 15 Oct 2009.)

6. The National Alliance on Mental Illness covers a wide range of mental health issues on their website, including reliable information on the medications and therapies used to treat various conditions. www.nami.org. (Accessed 15 Oct 2009.)

7. The American Psychiatric Association provides reliable information for the public at www.healthyminds.org, and lists additional Internet resources at www.psych.org/SpecialGroups/MentalHealthResources.aspx. (Accessed 15 Oct 2009.)