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THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS MEANT TO HAVE FUN, SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES, AND RECHARGE FOR THE
NEW YEAR, BUT FOR SOME SERVICE MEMBERS, IT CAN BE A STRESSFUL TIME.
REAR ADMIRAL MICHAEL ANDERSON, THE MEDICAL OFFICER TO THE MARINE CORPS, WANTS YOU TO
DO YOUR PART AS A SHIPMATE AND HELP THOSE IN NEED.
"TALK TO AND LISTEN TO YOUR MARINES AND FELLOW SAILORS ASSIGNED TO YOUR CARE OR THAT YOU
SEE ON A REGULAR BASIS. AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, LOOK THEM IN THE EYE AND ASK THEM, 'HOW ARE
YOU DOING TODAY?'. IF THEY RESPOND WITH CONCERN OR CAN'T MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT, BE INTRUSIVE
AND TAKE ACTION TO FURTHER EVALUATE THEIR STRESS LEVEL. BE OPEN TO THE ISSUES THAT ARE
OF CONCERN TO YOUR SHIPMATE."
HE ALSO SAID THAT IF YOU NEED HELP FROM A PROFESSIONAL, DON'T HESITATE TO ASK.
"IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS TO INCLUDE MARITAL PROBLEMS, ARE DRINKING
MORE ALCOHOL THAN YOU WANT TO, CAN'T SEEM TO FIND PLEASURE IN THINGS YOU USED TO ENJOY,
OR HAVE THOUGHTS OF HURTING YOUR SELF, REACH OUT AND ASK FOR HELP. TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE
AND AND TREATMENT WORKS. GETTING HELP FOR STRESS DOES NOT MEAN LOSING A CAREER OR SECURITY
CLEARANCE. IF YOU FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE GUIDANCE, WE WILL KEEP FAITH IN OUR MARINES, OUR SAILORS,
AND OUR FAMILIES BY CARING FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL MARINE AND SAILOR WE CARE FOR OUR NAVY AND
MARINE CORPS TEAM. I WISH TO EXTEND TO YOU BEST WISHES AND HOPES FOR A PROSPEROUS NEW
YEAR FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF MARINE CORPS HEALTH SERVICES STAFF."
VISIT SUICIDE.NAVY.MIL AND NAVYNAVSTRESS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STRESS MANAGEMENT
AND AWARENESS ON SUICIDE PREVENTION.
FROM THE DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY, I'M PETTY OFFICER BRANDIE WILLS.