How to cope with deployment Published Oct. 4, 2009 By Senior Airman Michael Matkin 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs SOUTHWEST ASIA -- What should I do tonight? There is nothing to do here, and I don't have anyone to hang out with. I really miss my family. I guess I will just watch TV in my room again. So any of these thoughts sound familiar? Deployments can be a difficult time in Airmen's lives. Not only are they separated from family and friends, but they are also working long hours and it can be easy to let discouraging thoughts enter their minds. Whenever Airmen let stressors affect their lives, they can also negatively affect the lives of Airmen around them, become a danger to themselves, said Maj. Alice Turner, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group, mental health clinic chief, deployed from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. There are many signs that indicate a servicemember may be having a hard time coping with deployment and fellow Airmen, supervisors, and commanders should be on the lookout, Major Turner said. These signs may include emotions that seem out of character, such as the following: · Anxiousness ·Excessive worrying · Decreased attention span · Thinking unclearly · Having trouble sleeping · Changes in appetite · Excessive focus on errors · Complaints about physical stress · Impaired duty performance · Diminished confidence If an Airman is displaying any of these signs, leaders and fellow Airmen should let them know that they care and understand, Major Turner said. Fellow Airmen should also validate and normalize the struggling Airman's feelings; don't minimize. Wingmen should let fellow Airmen know they are valued. To help the struggling individual with their problems and ensure that they have a successful deployment, fellow Airmen should use the Wingman concept by supporting their fellow Airmen throughout the entire deployment process, Major Turner said. However, if the behavior persists and impairs the Airman's duty performance or daily function, encourage the Airman to seek help. "Chaplains have full confidentiality, which means Airmen do not have to worry about what they tell us going outside our doors," said Chaplain (Capt.) Cornelius Johnson, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain, deployed from Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas. "Secondly, we specialize in dealing with the spiritual, mental and emotional issues; we are trained to help Airmen." Help can come in many forms, Major Turner said, which is why it is vital for Airmen to keep channels of communication open with family members, friends and coworkers -- it is imperative to stay connected with what is familiar and safe. "If you don't talk it out, you will act it out," she said. "Your mind and body work together for preservation. The physical and emotional symptoms experienced during times of high stress are sirens alerting you to take care of yourself; heed those warning signs." To make deployments more enjoyable and to ensure Airmen are coping with the emotional stressors of deployments, servicemembers should take advantage of the many opportunities for physical, emotional, spiritual, social and mental growth and wellness offered through the Airman Readiness Center, Chapel services and Mental Health facilities. By getting involved Airmen, can relax and forget about problems which will help the deployment go by more quickly. Also, friends can help replace the loneliness felt from being away from home, Chaplain Johnson said, "so it helps to make some close friends while deployed." "This is a time when you are away from your families and can focus on becoming a better you," Major Turner said. "You also have the opportunity to put your thoughts down in writing, which is something that you, your spouse and your children will later treasure. Your deployment is a great opportunity to establish a greater emotional intimacy."