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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) – A class aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), called Life Skills facilitates how Sailors learn to strategically manage high levels of personal and professional stress. The strategies given during Life Skills class correlate to the chosen topic for that session. A few topics covered include sleep hygiene, stress management, and relationship advice.
“It’s a preventative measure to help Sailors with common issues and how to manage those issues,” said L.t. Commander Larkin E. Magel, Ike’s psychologist. “The class provides tools, tips and strategies to give Sailors information upfront.”
The class gives Sailors knowledge and skills on how deal with factors weighing heavily on their minds. Sailors learn how to support and maintain solid mental wellness.
The Life Skills class is not a Navy-wide program; it is exclusive to the Ike. This unique course provides Sailors with a concise resource guide which explains where to go and who to talk to in time of need. Some of these resources include Ike’s chaplain and the deployed resiliency counselor.
“It is important for Sailors to know about the Life Skills class so that they can know they are not alone,” said Magel. “If you are dealing with high stress, so are a lot of other people.”
Sometimes there is a stigma associated with support regarding mental health. The class setting is an open platform for others to seek and share common challenges such as managing relationships, stress management or sleep related issues. Having an environment to hear other Sailors state similar difficulties is also beneficial.
“The classes are meant to be interactive,” said Magel. “It gives Sailors a chance to talk and suggest ideas to help each other.”
For many Sailors, it is tough being away from home, and difficult dealing with the high-tempo operations in and out of port. By talking about stressors and mental health in a group environment, it builds a community of people willing to help each other.
“Having an open mind about these classes is the most helpful tool leadership can have,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Christopher Williams, the psychological technician for Ike. “The more that people know about how to manage stress, the less issues Sailors may have down the road. The idea is to prevent the need for intensive help.”
There are a number of stages concerning the total care of mental health. By learning how to handle stressors personally and professionally, it helps build ship-wide resiliency and fortitude.
“The Life Skills class is important because it provides another level to the different echelons of care we have,” said Williams.
Classes are usually held every Wednesday in the Five Star classroom. For more information visit the medical all hands section on the SharePoint, or ask your chain of command for the schedule of upcoming classes.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.27.2018 11:34 |
| Story ID: | 305279 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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