Response team motivates Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Issues associated with the mental health clinic are often thought of as taboo. Therefore, people may not openly talk about their feelings or fears. However, the 354th Medical Group mental health clinic is bringing awareness to Eielson Air Force Base through the Traumatic Stress Response team about issues that may affect its Airmen.

The TSR team, formerly known as the Critical Incident Stress Management team, advises commanders and counsels Airmen after a traumatic event happens.

The event could be a natural disaster, death of a servicemember, death of a family member or an aircraft mishap. The commanders are informed about the services and ways the TSR team is able to help those involved cope with what has occurred.

These services are also provided to first responders, fire fighters, police, Office of Special Investigations, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and mortuary affairs because of the situations they may encounter as a first responder.

Anyone potentially in situations more traumatic than others can get their services. Airmen are prepared for what they may see and how they may react and are given the resources to cope with it.

"People go through situations where they may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or a wide range of emotions that are weighing down on them. To help support the Air Force we make sure people are ready to go and are able to handle situations, and if they're having problems, we help them work through it and get to a point where they're back where they want to be. We try to do what's best for the individual and keep the healthy balance," said Staff Sgt. Justin Mckee, 354th Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician.

"If someone gets help early, it's less likely to affect their daily life, whether it's sleep or their mood. So if they get help early we can help prevent serious problems. People may want to avoid it or not talk about it but all that does is push the issue to the back and it never gets resolved," said Major Kelly Czeiszperger, 354th Medical Operations Squadron clinical social worker.

If there has been a traumatic incident or event the commander can call a TSR team member and discuss what type of services are needed to better help those involved in the situation.

"It may be a little difficult for people to open up so we try to build a comfortable relationship between ourselves and the person. That way through common interests and conversation the person could warm up," said Sergeant Mckee.

In past traumatic events, it was common to send a large group of people for debriefing even if they were not involved or knew the person. Research has shown that may not be helpful, and sharing info that people were not aware of that could possibly be damaging.

The response team works with the commander to focus efforts on the individuals who truly need counseling.

For those that have been involved in an incident, patients can come into the clinic for undocumented visits as long as the discussions are focused on the event that took place. If the person wants to talk about something else happening in their life that information can be documented.

TSR members do not provide traditional clinical therapy; their role is to be a community helper and acknowledge what traumatized Airmen are experiencing is a natural reaction. It can range from a lack of feeling, to shock, anger, or sorrow. Patients are given information about what they are experiencing and validate what they are feeling and if they are having difficulty then point them in the right direction of the helping professional.

For example, if the chaplain or a member of the AFRC notices an Airman is having a tough time coping, they will get them in contact with a mental health provider or chaplain depending on the needs of the person. Everyone is qualified and trained in their TSR roles.

"It's important for people to know there is a resource out there so if something does
happen in their unit they know that people care and want to see them get better," said Maj. Czeiszperger.

To contact the mental health clinic call 377-3071 or use the walk-in option and the team will work to find the right venue to assist with their personal needs. If an individual needs help contacting the clinic, they can call their first sergeant.