Traumatic Stress Response Team ready to assist

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jeffrey J. Smith
  • 5th Medical Group, Family Advocacy Officer
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  What if a traumatic event such as a large-scale aircraft mishap, death or natural disaster occurred in Minot, or on Minot AFB? Do you know what resources are available? Along with base safety, security forces and readiness, there exists a team comprised of chaplains, mental health personnel and Airmen and Family Readiness Center members called the Traumatic Stress Response Team.

The TSR team members serve as trauma consultants to unit leaders across Minot AFB in accordance with Air Force Instruction 44-153. The commanders at Minot Air Force Base can activate the TSR team in support of local response operations in the event of a disaster or large scale traumatic events.

What is the purpose of the TSR team? The team comprised of two chaplains, two mental health providers and AFRC members provide training to base personnel having potential exposure to traumatic events and education to those already exposed to traumatic events. The TSR team provides education on the human nervous system (fight or flight response), stress management, and unit and personal resilience.

The TSR team is able to provide four individual sessions without any documentation at a convenient location to our military and civilian members. For PRP members, unit leadership will be made aware you are seeking out TSR services but unless duty impacting, sessions will be kept confidential.

The four individual sessions allow mental health providers to act in the same way chaplains can for those affected by a traumatic event; no notes, no records, no notification to command unless there is intent expressed to harm yourself or others or if a PRP member discloses potentially disqualifying information.

After a traumatic experience, a number of physical and or mental changes may occur; for example, a person's sleep, thoughts, social interactions and concentration may be interrupted by intrusive thoughts of the trauma or event experienced. Along with these changes, a person might increase caffeine, nicotine or alcohol use. These changes are normal reactions to abnormal events. If symptoms persist or become a safety concern, please seek help. Part of the TSR team's role is to educate individuals about these potential reactions to trauma.

One goal of TSR education is to emphasize the return of normal functioning after exposure to an abnormal event. TSR team members guide those impacted by an event to return to pre-event functioning; in other words, we foster resilience. If symptoms persist beyond a couple of weeks, individuals should feel free to contact any of the TSR team members.

The duty chaplain can be reached at 723-2456, mental health personnel at 723-5527 and the AFRC at 723-2303. To schedule a pre-exposure preparation brief or for any assistance, comments, or questions, please contact Capt. Jeffrey J. Smith or Capt. John Doti at 723-5527.