Finding Mental Balance

By MC1 Kegan E. Kay, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Office

Mental health is a pillar of overall health and wellness inside and out. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to check in on your emotional, psychological and social well-being.

“I know this past year has been hard,” remarked Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday in a video message for Mental Health Awareness Month. “Many of you have endured extended deployments, had increased stress levels, or felt isolated and overwhelmed.”

For those of us living in Sicily, our challenges have included multiple transitions to and from yellow, orange and red zones, which have limited our ability to travel and pursue leisure activities.

“But let me be clear,” Gilday continued. “Mental health is absolutely critical to wellness, and shouldn’t be ignored and it shouldn’t be hidden.”

Here onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, we have a robust suite of tools available if you feel that you or your families’ mental health and well-being has been compromised by the persistent changes we have experienced over the past 18 months.

Community members can reach out to Sigonella’s Fleet and Family Support Center for counseling services. Our installation chaplains with the NAS Sigonella religious ministry departments also offer confidential counseling services as well as the Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) services, which include meditation outings and fully paid family and marriage enrichment retreats. Military and family life counselors are also available for families and children ages 18 and younger.

U.S. Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Sigonella has a Behavioral Health department that offers many wellness programs that span not only professional counseling services, but also readily provides resources and training on mindfulness, meditation, personality types, tobacco cessation, and more.

While the base has provided as many resources as possible throughout the pandemic while still adhering to Department of Defense and host nation policies, it is easy to recognize that the restrictions have taken a toll on our community.

“No matter your situation, there are shipmates ready to do whatever they can to help you find hope,” urged Gilday in his video message. “Reach out. Ask someone for help. Don’t let stigma stand in your way.”

Sigonella does have one other unique non-Navy resource available for service members who wish to improve their mental health – resiliency training provided by Resiliency Trainers from the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron. This past November, the trainers opened up what is usually a U.S. Air Force specific program to allow Navy personnel to be trained as Resiliency Training Assistants.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines resiliency as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change.” However, the use of the word “easily” in the definition is debatable. Resiliency takes work.

“Resiliency training focuses on four domains: mental, physical, social and spiritual,” explains U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Heather Neef, a Master Resiliency Trainer. “Within those domains, this training covers adaptability, positive thinking, communication, connectedness, teamwork, perseverance, perspective and purpose.”

Resiliency is more than just an individual effort as it applies teamwork and works to create an overall positive work space which can wear down a person’s mental happiness and increases stress when left in a toxic or negative environment.

“Resiliency training equips us all with knowledge and tools to navigate our way through life and adjust to our environments,” said Neef. “It empowers us to maintain the necessary balance of mental, physical, social connectedness and spiritual well-being to thrive and carry out the mission.”

Neef also added that resiliency training helps service members to keep each other accountable, to uphold strong values, and grow not only as individuals but also as team.

One of the biggest components of resiliency training is in regards to communication. Evaluating how we think and how we act on those thoughts, both positive and negative, helps us to become more mindful of our thoughts and actions when interacting with those around us.

“It teaches us to communicate with each other. Even though we think differently and come from different backgrounds, we can work together through differences,” added Neef. “Overall resilient individuals build resilient teams that accomplish the mission efficiently and effectively.”

A major tenet of resiliency training is that you evaluate yourself first, defining what resiliency means to you, laying out what your personal beliefs are, and uncovering your strengths and your mindset on how you think and react. After that, the training moves into methods and tools such as mindfulness, physical fitness, balancing your thinking, and “ReFraming,” which is a process of controlling how you react.

This training isn’t just good for the individual; it’s good for everyone around the individual too.

“Resiliency training creates a mindset that is contagious. That in turn creates a culture of positivity and well-being,” concluded Neef. “Resiliency training provides the tools to help others and support the teams’ well-being. Being resilient does not always mean you never fall or fail; it means you know how to get back up.”

Sometimes it takes multiple tools to help build up your mental health to where it needs to be. Speaking to someone, meditation, working out, medication, resiliency training, pursuing a spiritual path, or even a walk in nature … are all ways to improve your mental health. Many people need a combination of tools and methods or may need to try a few to find avenue which works for them.

Remember, mental health is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another.