Air Force takes preventive approach to stress management Published May 17, 2012 By Robert Goetz Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Airmen and their families can find the unique stresses of military life overwhelming, but they need not deal with the pressures of permanent changes of station, deployments and other events alone. The Air Force offers a host of programs, services and resources that help service members and their families prepare for potentially traumatic events in their lives and deal with any trauma they experience. "The focus now is enhancing the military population's ability to deal with adversity before they experience it," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Hornberger, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Flight chief. "We do this by increasing people's awareness of how they respond to stress and educating them on healthy ways to deal with it, including knowing when to seek professional help." Hornberger, offering advice during Mental Health Awareness Month, said it's important that people know the signs of stress - from moodiness and irritability to lack of energy, headaches and back pain. "Then you need to step back and look at what's stressing you out," he said. "In the military, there are short notice deadlines, deployments, permanent changes of station, plus the normal things that affect you." Hornberger said there are healthy ways of dealing with stress. "Self-care is important," he said. "You should be getting enough sleep, eating right, staying fit and having a support system, or making sure you're connected to something, whether it's family, friends or an organization or group where you feel you belong. You should also have some healthy 'me time' - working out, traveling, playing sports or reading a book." Inappropriate - or unhealthy - ways of handling stress include drinking in excess, misusing prescription or over-the-counter drugs, using illicit drugs and isolation. Hornberger said some degree of stress is good. "People perform better with some stress, but too much will hinder them," he said. "Your mindset and mental preparation are important." Hornberger said the military's approach to emotional wellness has evolved from reactive to preventive. One example is a program called Airman Resilience Training, which prepares active-duty Airmen for the stresses of serving in Afghanistan and other hostile environments. "It's an active approach to help people prior to being exposed to trauma," he said. "Most will recover, but some won't recover without help." According to Mental Health America, which has led the Mental Health Month observance for more than 50 years, unresolved trauma "can manifest in many ways, including anxiety disorders, panic attacks, intrusive memories, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, self-injury and a variety of physical symptoms." Unresolved trauma can also significantly increase the risk of mental and substance use disorders, suicide, chronic physical ailments and premature death. Because of the often dire consequences of unresolved trauma, the Air Force offers a gamut of resources, Hornberger said, from chaplain's offices and mental health flights to Military OneSource and Military Family Life Consultants, as well as first sergeants and supervisors. The Employee Assistance Program is available for civilians. Hornberger said some people are reluctant to seek help for mental issues because of a stigma attached to it. "But it's okay to seek services," he said. "Seeking help is an extremely important protective factor that demonstrates courage, self-awareness and insight." Hornberger said the wingman concept plays a part in the emotional wellness of active-duty and civilian Airmen alike. "Connect with and get to know your supervisors, peers, subordinates and look out for them," he said. "Identify if they are in distress, intervene when needed, refer personnel to the appropriate helping agencies when needed and follow up regularly until the concern has been resolved. Sometimes, all it takes is listening."