Unclassified

Operational Stress Control (OSC)Awareness Brief

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Operational Stress Control A Different Approach for….

...A Different Navy: More Missions, More Varied, More Demanding

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Overview and PurposeDefine key conceptsIntroduce the Stress Continuum ModelIdentify common sources of stressDescribe ways Sailors, commands, and families can build resilienceDescribe ways to recognize stress reactions, stress injuries, and stress illnessesIdentify actions for managing stress reactions and injuries and getting help for stress illnesses

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What Is "Stress”?

The process by which we respond to challenges to the body or mind.

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Sources of Operational Stress

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Stress Continuum Model

READYREADY(Green)

REACTINGREACTING(Yellow)(Yellow)

INJUREDINJURED(Orange)(Orange)

ILLILL(Red)(Red)

• Distress or impairment

• Mild and temporary

• Anxious, irritable, or sad

• Physical or behavioral changes

• More severe or persistent distress or impairment

• May leave lasting memories, reactions, and expectations

• Stress injuries that don’t heal without help

• Symptoms persist for >60 days, get worse, or initially get better and then return worse

Caregiver Responsibility

Caregiver Responsibility

Unit LeaderResponsibilityUnit LeaderResponsibility

• Good to go• Well trained• Prepared• Fit and

focused• Cohesive

units & ready families

Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility

Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility

StressorStressor

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Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

READY SailorsREADY SailorsCalm and steady Confident and competentGetting the job doneSense of humorSleeping enough Eating the right amountWorking out, staying fitPlaying well and oftenActive sociallyBeing at peace with oneselfHealthy spirituality

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Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

READY CommandsREADY CommandsWell-trained and qualifiedPositive command climateHigh moraleStrong cohesionGood maintenanceGood order and disciplineDeglamorization of alcoholAttention to detailClear sense of mission

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Healthy: The Ready Green Zone

READY FamiliesREADY FamiliesActive parentingEngaged in family routines and

activitiesChildren functioning well at home

and in schoolFamily members feel secureRegular family routinesClean organized homeGood communication between all

family membersCouple interacting well

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Healthy:“Staying GreenGreen”” (Ready)(Ready)

STAYING READYSTAYING READYStay fit and eat rightGet adequate restPush to your personal best in trainingFoster unit morale and cohesion Use alcohol in moderationKnow own limitsPractice personal integrity, courage,

and commitment Build strong marital, family, and

social relationships Resolve conflicts effectivelyStrengthen yourselfCompartmentalize stress, when

necessary

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““STRESS STRESS REACTIONREACTION””

Temporary, mild physical or mental distress

What is a ““Stress ReactionStress Reaction””?

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Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting ZoneYellow Reacting Zone

REACTINGREACTINGFeeling anxious, irritable,

worryingCutting corners on the jobGrouchy, mean, or short-

tempered Trouble sleepingEating too much or too littleApathy, loss of interestKeeping to oneselfNegative, pessimistic

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Recognizing Stress:The Yellow Reacting ZoneYellow Reacting Zone

REACTING FAMILIESREACTING FAMILIES

Children acting out Children having trouble in school Couple not communicating

effectively, arguingFamily time compromisedDropping routinesIncreased clutter and disorderReduced intimacyIncreasing financial difficulties

REACTING REACTING COMMANDSCOMMANDS

Falling morale, split groupsDeferred maintenanceMinor discipline problemsIncreased alcohol incidentsReduced attention to detail

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The Yellow Reacting ZoneYellow Reacting Zone

WHAT TO DOGet more sleep and restWork out regularly, eat right, stay hydratedSpend time with people you trustAttend to your spiritual needsTake your mind off of worries you can’t fixHave fun when you canEncourage yourself and othersLeaders:

• Do positive after-action reviews• Recognize and reward accomplishments

Successfully handling a stressful event builds resilience

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““STRESS STRESS INJURIESINJURIES””

Wounds to the mind or brain caused by intense or prolonged stress• Impact Trauma• Wear and Tear Fatigue• Loss Grief• Inner conflict Moral injury

What Are ““Stress InjuriesStress Injuries””?

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Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

INJUREDINJUREDLoss of control Can’t fall or stay asleepRecurrent vivid nightmaresIntense guilt or shameAttacks of panic or rageInability to enjoy activitiesDisruption of moral valuesSerious suicidal or homicidal

thoughts

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Recognizing Stress Injuries:The Orange Injured Zone

INJURED FAMILIESINJURED FAMILIESChildren having failing gradesChildren having discipline problems at school and/or homeCouple experiencing loss of closeness/intimacyFeeling of chaosConstant fightingSilence/no communicationVerbal or physical abuse

INJURED UNITSINJURED UNITSLow morale, divided campsEquipment out of serviceSignificant discipline problemsSignificant alcohol incidentsMultiple drug incidentsVigilante missions

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The Orange Injured Zone

WHAT TO DOWHAT TO DOAdminister Stress First Aid Talk with leadersSeek guidance from chaplains, counselors, and/or medical staffLeaders:• Take immediate action to address command problems

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Recognizing Stress Illnesses:The Red Ill Zone

ILLILLStress injury symptoms that last for more than 60 days

Symptoms that get worse over time instead of better

Symptoms that get better for awhile but then come back worse

All stress Illnesses MUST be referred to Medical for evaluation

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Stress Continuum Model

READY READY (Green) REACTING REACTING (Yellow)(Yellow) INJUREDINJURED(Orange)(Orange)

ILLILL(Red)(Red)

Caregiver Responsibility

Caregiver Responsibility

Unit LeaderResponsibilityUnit LeaderResponsibility

Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility

Individual, Shipmate, Family Responsibility

StressorStressor

The Goal of Navy OSC is to move towards GREEN

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Combat and Operational StressFirst-Aid (COSFA)

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Where To Get HelpWhere To Get HelpShipmate, family member, or command leadershipOmbudsmanChaplainFleet and Family Support Center counselorDoctor, nurse or other medical staff member USMC COSC (www.usmc-mccs.org/cosc)Navy Safe Harbor (www.npc.navy.mil/CommandSupport/SafeHarbor)Navy Public Health Center (www-nehc.med.navy.mil/hp/suicide)Military OneSource (www.militaryonesource.com)Vet Center (www.va.gov/rcs)Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control (www.websiteTBA)

Unclassified

Questions?