Written by: Kristen Shaw, Volunteer
As May is National Military Appreciation Month, we will focus a series of blogs on our Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program.
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks,” said
author James Allen.
This could not be truer of helping our United States service
members and their families returning to everyday life after a deployment or their
military service has come to an end. No two deployments are alike; time lengths
vary, new experiences have been had, and loved ones both home and away have had
to miss out on important events or milestones. Often upon returning or re-integrating
into society, military men and women struggle with feeling isolated and unable
to communicate what they experienced while deployed.
The Red Cross recognizes the notable sacrifices made by our
nation’s Military and their loved ones, and so the need for accessible and
readily available resources to aid those trying to readjust to their old lives.
To aid the needs of all those impacted by a military deployment or service, ‘Reconnection
Workshops’ are offered by the Red Cross to ease the process of transitioning
back into civilian life – including all branches of the Armed Forces, Reserve,
National Guard, active duty service members, veterans and their families.
Spouses, parents, children, siblings, significant others, and close friends are
also welcome to attend. These free sessions are confidential, small groups of
at least three individuals, led by mental health professionals and focusing on
positive reconnections, tools, strengths, and coping strategies for reengaging
in civilian life.
Sometimes physical or emotional hardships in the form of
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), and depression can
present new or more difficult challenges. The Red Cross knows this, too, and
attempts to craft some of their modules around the sensitivities that may arise
from those specific problems.
‘Reconnection Workshops’ are one of seven programs
underneath the Red Cross’ Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Program and can be
dated all the way back to May of 1881, when Clara Barton established the American
Branch of the Red Cross.
Another program offered is ‘Mind-Body Workshops’, focused on
improving wellness and managing stress using the mind, body and spirit. Through
the workshops, the Red Cross teaches easy-to-use skills that connect the body
with the mind to help participants cope with stress and trauma.
Children especially can be strongly affected by the stresses
and adjustments that accompany a family member’s deployment, and two newer
workshops called ‘Roger That! Communication Counts’, and ‘Operation 10-4
Confident Coping’ have also been created to focus on learning the effective
ways of problem solving and communication for both younger and older children
in the unique situations they face post-deployment.
Clara Barton, who nursed soldiers on the battlefield, stated
that “If I can’t be a soldier, I’ll help soldiers.” And that is what these
workshops aim to do.
If you or a family member are interested in finding a
participating workshop location in the National Capital Region, or in registering,
you can find more information here: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/deployment-services
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