Traumatic stress response team aids Dover Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman James Bolinger
  • 436th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Death, suicide, rape, assault, plane crashes and combat are all events psychologists define as traumatic. According to mental health experts here, traumatic events can have a psychological impact on the people who experienced them.

That's where Dover's Traumatic Stress Response Team steps in to help out.

The team is made up of military and civilian members from all squadrons who are trained to assist people who experience a traumatic event, said Dr. Kate McGraw, TSR team chief.

"We provide information to people about what a normal response to stress is," said Ms. McGraw, who has been involved in TSR for more than seven years. "We work with first responders, explosive ordnance disposal technicians and have a constant presence at the Port Mortuary to support people who work there."

People can suffer a wide range of symptoms after a traumatic event, said Tech. Sgt. Sue Lowell, TSR team NCO in-charge. It can depend on the type of event, the role a person plays and amount of time they are exposed. Most symptoms are not long term and it's important for people to know the TSR is here to help them following a traumatic event.

Common symptoms can include trouble eating or sleeping and feeling irritable, as well as, physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, fear, nervousness, change in appetite or weight, sense of horror or helplessness and guilt, said Sergeant Lowell, who has worked in mental health for 10 years.

According to Sergeant Lowell, other symptoms include: disturbing thoughts or feelings that are constant and seem uncontrollable, re-occurring distressful memories, thoughts and flashbacks, changing habits to avoid things that remind people of the event, decreased interest in activities, hyper arousal. 'flight or fight' all the time, feeling disconnected from ones self and other people, feeling numb or detached and frequent 'zoning out.'

"From the feedback we get, this program helps," said Ms. McGraw. "From a scientific stand point, (having a TRS to help people) is better than doing nothing, but there isn't enough research to determine how effective it is."

"I have seen this program work both stateside and deployed," said Sergeant Lowell. "Its rewarding knowing that talking to people helps them. That's what we're here for."

Servicemembers don't have to have a background in mental health to join the TSR which is always looking for motivated Airmen and civilians to join the team and help out.

Capt. Ray Bouchard, TSR assistant chief, joined the TSR six months ago and has a background in social work.

"I don't have a psychology degree," he said. "My degree is in social work, but you don't need a degree to help out. You have to want to help people."

"We prefer to have people from several squadrons involved," said Ms. McGraw. "Usually, people would rather talk to someone in their squadron, who knows their job and can empathize with their needs."

TSR is always looking for peer support. Members interested in joining the team can contact Tech. Sgt. Sue Lowell at the 436th Medical Operations Squadron Mental Health Office at 677-2674.