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Controlling deployment stress is mission critical

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq --  The 732nd Combat Stress Control (CSC) Detachment at Ali Base suffers from a misnomer. The name implies that they only treat mental health issues relating to combat. And that is far from reality.

Perhaps simply 'Stress Control' would more aptly describe their mission. According to Maj. Rosanne Visco, 732nd CSC Outreach Manager, Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Joint Expeditionary Tasking (JET) Airman deployed from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, their mission is to help Airmen and Soldiers deal with the routine and the occasionally extraordinary stressors that deployed military members may experience. This helps the individual continue their career and lead a more fulfilling life.

Some stressors include separation from family and loved ones, problems at home; adjusting to deployment conditions; feelings of isolation, that you can't talk about your feelings or that you're the only one that feels this way and many others.

Major stressors may follow a traumatic event, such as involvement in combat situations or perhaps a radical change in your personal life, according to Maj. Visco. This stress degrades your performance and impacts your overall health.

To provide services to more than 24 thousand military personnel stationed throughout southern Iraq, the 24 staff members of Combat Stress Control, spend considerable time 'outside the wire.'

According to Master Sgt. Tracy Washington, 732nd CSC Superintendant and mental health technician deployed from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, the team travels to military bases and provides 'help in place.'

The concept of embedding mental health professionals within units is fairly new, said Maj. Visco.

Having just returned from a forward operating location, Staff Sgt. Steve McIntyre, deployed from MacDill AFB, Fla. and non-commissioned officer in charge of Outreach Prevention, explained that they had 'boots on ground' within 24 hours following a traumatic event there.

Within ten minutes of arriving, the team was speaking to people about the event. "People were waiting for us to arrive," he said.

"Sometime," he added, "people just pull us to the side to tell us what is going on with them."

Complaints range from not sleeping or having nightmares to indications of post traumatic stress disorder. After a triage, the team member may offer tips and changes to lifestyle to improve the situation or may refer the individual to a clinic for a more extensive evaluation.

Part of their outreach effort includes visiting units at bases, such as an Army motor pool or Air Force security forces squadron. "Where we're needed, we go," commented Staff Sgt. McIntyre.

Talking to a chaplain or your supervisor is always encouraged by the mental health professionals, but occasionally, a chaplain is not available or the military member is not comfortable discussing issues with their chain of command.

"That's why we're here," explained Lt Col. Visco. "To help people maintain a healthy lifestyle and sometimes, to get back on track."

This holistic approach to mental and physical health has been underway for years within the Department of Defense military community and, according to Maj.. Visco, the "attitude of senior leadership toward sound mental health is the best I've seen."

The Wingman and Battle Buddy mantra is an example of Airmen and Soldiers taking care of each other. Asking questions when observing changes in others' attitudes or characteristics is encouraged. "It's everyone's responsibility to watch their wingman," added Master Sgt. Washington.

Some people are reluctant to discuss problems and just need to be asked. Many people are relieved to know that someone is interested and will quickly discuss what is going on in their life. "It's important to acknowledge stress and bring it into the light," he explained.

Classes are held throughout the AOR to help military members deal with stress and are included in the Right Start briefings as well as out-processing briefings before returning home.

As a member spends time deployed, small stresses from their environment and perhaps from home begin to accumulate. "They're like small veins in a volcano beginning to fill up," commented Master Sgt. Washington. "Eventually, it's going to blow."

When feeling overwhelmed, Maj. Visco advises discussing the situation with a chaplain, your wingman, supervisor, doctor or them. "The average person faces plenty of stressors here," she said, "and when you're feeling a little over your head, dealing with it will make your deployment and transition home that much smoother."

Ways to relieve stress also include getting out of your room, commented Staff Sgt. McIntyre. He prescribed exercise, joining a peer group such as First Four or Company Grade Officers Association and putting down the video game. "Sometime people just need rest. Staying up playing games, emailing and video conferencing home is counter-productive," he said. "Go to bed."

For more information, contact Combat Stress Control at 833-1562 or stop in their clinic located on the second floor of building 208, corner of 6th St. and Main St. They are also available after duty hours by referral from the emergency room at the Army's 28th Combat Support Hospital here on COB Adder.