2015 September Balance Newsletter (Mental Health Awareness)

September 2015

Mental Health Awareness In This Issue Tobacco Cessation-Class Schedule September Nutrition Classes Suicide Prevention Alcohol Awareness Bullying Prevention Health Promotion Calendar Meet the Staff

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August Nutrition Classes at USNH Yokosuka

When: September 25, 2015 (Friday) Location of Classes: USNH, Yokosuka Staff Education Training Department 105

Basic Nutrition Class Time: 8:30 – 9:30am Diabetes Nutrition Class Time: 10:00 -11:00am Prenatal Nutrition Class Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm

DCS Only Classes When: September 11, 2015 (Friday) DCS Link: https://conference.apps.mil/webconf/5df4fd976062115d7925662110225d3f

Basic Nutrition Class Time: 8:30 – 9:30am Prenatal Nutrition Class Time: 1:00 – 2:00pm Diabetes Nutrition Class Time: 2:00 – 3:00pm

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For your convenience patients can access DCS link from home or work center.

For seat reservation and/or instructions on how to access DCS link please contact 243-7128. Thank you.

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Alcohol Awareness Month

Psychological Affects of Alcohol By: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Anna Brauer, Behavioral Health Tech Mental Health & Alcohol:

ALCOHOL INCREASES ANXIETY & STRESS Regular, heavy drinking interferes with our brain’s messaging system, and changes our perception of situations. It can lower the feel good chemicals in the brain (serotonin) which helps to regulate moods.

Alcohol use disturbs your sleep, makes you feel lethargic and tired all the time, produces (or enhances) a depressed mood, and can increase anxiety in situations where you would normally feel comfortable.

Alcohol has often been used to relax, celebrate, unwind or otherwise used to deal with a stressful day or situation. Often people with depression, anxiety or other mental health problems use alcohol as a maladaptive coping mechanism. The result of using alcohol can range from losing one’s inhibitions to more serious outcomes such as an increase in depression, memory-loss or suicide.

Ways to deal with stress: ALCOHOL CHANGES OUR BRAIN It is a depressant and while initially it may make us feel relaxed it is in fact decreasing our inhibitions, which can lead to negative outcomes 4 (poor decision making, anger, anxiety, depression, and suicide).

1. Exercise and relaxation techniques 2. Breathing exercises when anxious 3. Talk with someone (friend, family, co-worker, chaplain, counselor) Alcohol can make you lose control, and can lead to actions you might not normally have done – including self-harm, harming others and suicide.

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Bullying Prevention By: U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Common Myths about children who BULLY 

Children who bully are loners -In fact, research indicates that children and youth who bully are not socially isolated.

-They report having an easier time making friends than children and youth who do not bully.

-Children and youth who bully usually have at least a small group of friends who support or encourage their bullying.

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Children who Bully have low self-esteem

-In fact, most research indicates that children and youth who bully have average or above-average self-esteem.

-Children and youth often need help to stop bullying. Don’t be afraid to call the school if you think your child is being bullied and ask for help to stop the bullying. Students should not have to tolerate bullying at school any more than adults would tolerate similar treatment at work.

- If your child is being bullied, chances are that there are other children in the school who are having similar experiences.

5 has a role to play in stopping bullying. Take a Everyone stand and lead a hand to stop bullying.

Warning Sings Possible warning signs that a child is being bullied:  Comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings

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Has unexplained cuts, bruises, and scratches Has few, if any friends, with whom he or she spends time Seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus, or taking part in organized actives with peers (such as clubs) Takes a long, “illogical” route when walking to or from school Has a lost interest in school work or suddenly begins to do poorly in school Appears sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he or she comes home Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical aliments Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams Experiences a loss of appetite Appears anxious and suffers from low self-esteem

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Bullying Prevention (continued) BY: U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) What to do if you suspect that your child is being bullied?

If your child shows any of these signs, this does not necessarily mean that he or she is being bullied, but it is a possibility worth exploring. What should you do? Talk with your child and talk with staff at school to learn more.

1. Talk with your child. Tell your child that you are concerned and that you’d like to help. Here are some questions that can get the discussion going: Some direct questions:  “I’m worried about you. Are there any kids at school who may be picking on you or bullying you?”  Are there any kids at school who tease you in a mean way?  Are there any kids at school who leave you out or exclude you on purpose?

Some subtle questions:  “Do you have any special friends at school this year? Who are they? Who do you hang out with?”  ‘Who do you sit with at lunch and on the bus?’  ‘Are there any kids at school who you really don’t like? Why don’t you like them? Do they ever pick on you or leave you out of things?’

2. Talk with staff at your child’s school. Call or set up an appointment to talk with your child’s teacher. He or she will probably be in the best position to understand the relationships between your child and other peers at school. Share your concerns about your child and ask the teacher such questions as:  ‘How does my child get along with other students in his or her class?”  ‘With whom does he or she spend free time?’  ‘Have you noticed or have you ever suspected that my child is bulled by other students?’ Give examples of some ways that children can be bullied to be sure that the teacher is not focusing only on one kind of bullying (such as physical bullying).

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DoDEA and the Department of Health and Human Services… joining forces to Stop Bullying Now in DoD Schools.

For more information, visit www.dodea.edu/stopbullyingnow.

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Suicide Prevention Suicide Prevention By: Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Anna Brauer, Behavioral Health Tech Suicide does not discriminate; people of all genders, ages, socioeconomic status, religions and ethnicities can be at risk for committing suicide. The risk for suicidal behavior is complex. Sometimes suicidal behavior is triggered by events such as personal loss or violence.

Stressful life situations such as financial and/or emotional difficulties can also be a significant factor and can be a trigger for suicide. Many people have some of these risk factors but do not attempt suicide. If you are having thoughts or feelings of wanting to kill yourself, please tell someone and go to the Emergency Department.

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How to Help Those Thinking of Suicide: Ask if they are having thoughts/ feelings of wanting to kill themselves.

Listen to what they have to say, without judgement and without trying to ‘fix’ the situation.

Stay with the person and get them to the Emergency Department for evaluation and treatment.

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Risk Factors: Depression, other Mental Disorders Hopelessness Withdrawal from Family/ Friends Giving Away Possessions Substance Abuse Prior Suicide Attempt Access to Weapons

Resources: Friends/Family Co-Workers, Chain of Command Chaplain Primary Care Doctors

Fleet & Family Support Center (243-7878) Mental Health (243-5171) US Crisis Line (010.1.800.273.8255)

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Meet The Staff

From left to right: Ms. Rebecca Vetrano (Health Tech.), HN Mario Camacho ( Health Tech.), HN Shaquille Hill (Health Tech.), HM3 Brandon Fisher (Health Tech.), HM1 Michael Abrajano ( LPO), Ms. Mary Cobb (Secretary)