EAP/Professional Standards Committee

Pulse LGBTQ Nightclub Shooting in Orlando

June 13, 2016 13:00

Dear Flight Attendants,

Below is an excerpt of the statement that AFA International issued about the massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando this past weekend.

“The Association of Flight Attendants joins together as one, heads bowed in mourning for the victims of the massacre in Orlando.

It appears the gunman targeted our LGBTQ community, acting on an unfathomable level of hatred. As a union that has long championed the rights of LGBTQ workers, we will not allow the victims to be defined by their killer. These were ordinary people in every respect –neighbors, friends, co-workers, family. They deserved to be embraced by love, not cut down by hate….

[W]e send our love – 50,000 strong – to the families and friends of the victims in Orlando, and to our members and all Americans whose heart is hurting. We will stand together until love triumphs over evil.”

If you or a family member has been impacted by this tragedy, please remember that our AFA EAP stands ready to support and assist you. Please also remember that terrorism can create strong feelings regardless of whether you have a direct connection to this tragedy. AFA EAP is available to any member as well as their loved ones who would like confidential assistance. AFA EAP can be reached through their toll free helpline at 800-424-2406. You can also find your AFA Alaska EAP representatives at http://afaalaska.org/eap.

Coping with Reaction to Terrorism

March 23, 2016 15:00

Acts of terrorism and threats of continued attacks are purposefully designed to scare people and to disrupt lives. For most people, it is common and normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, grief and anger. It is important to remember, however, that everyone may react differently. Some people may have a more profound reaction to these events than others because each of us has our own tolerance level for difficult feelings. To cope with these emotions, the National Mental Health Association offers you and your family some tips to help manage distress and build resilience.

Take a News Break

Find your personal balance between staying informed and listening to or watching too much coverage of terrorism. Excessive exposure can negatively impact your ability to cope. This includes social media sites that can also be a source of distress.

Maintain Daily Routines and Connections

Make time for your own tried and true stress management techniques which could include regular exercise, social outings, favorite pastimes and spiritual services. Routines provide a sense of “normalcy”, comfort and stability. They are helpful in diverting us from anxious thoughts and worries. Our social connections can also serve as valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress.

Have A Plan

In times of uncertainty, take control of what you can reasonably control. Having an emergency plan in place will make you feel more in control and prepared for emergencies. Establish a clear plan for how you, your family, friends and flying partners will respond and connect in the event of a crisis.

Seek Out Professional Care If You Are Having Trouble Coping

If you are feeling stuck or overwhelmed and unable to use the tips listed above, you may want to consider talking to a professional. Professional guidance may help you strengthen your resilience and perseverance through difficult times. Your local AFA EAP committee representatives can provide you with peer support and help you locate a professional referral. You can find the roster and contact numbers of your local committee representatives at http://www.afacwa.org/eap under “Your Local EAP Rep”. You can also call (800) 424-2406 for your local EAP committee representatives’ phone numbers.

“Wings of Sobriety” Telephonic Meetings

January 4, 2016 15:36

A message from your AFA Alaska EAP Committee

Wings of Sobriety telephonic meetings for Flight Attendants in recovery or wishing to explore their substance use concerns are scheduled for:

Wednesdays at 3 PM EST
Saturdays at 9 AM EST

Each meeting will last up to one (1) hour. The conference call in number is 1-855-544-2320. For International dialing Instructions, please hit the link below or visit our website at http://www.fadap.org/wingsofsobriety.

Flight Attendant Recovery Story

A former Flight Attendant shares her personal journey into recovery. Click here to read the story.

Mental Health Resolutions for the New Year

December 28, 2015 05:00

A message from your AFA Alaska Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/Professional Standards Committee

The New Year is not just a ritual. It is the celebration of new hopes and dreams. It is an opportunity to start with a clean slate. Typically, New Year resolutions tend to focus on weight, general health and finances. But, what might the new year offer us if we used it as an opportunity to commit to improvements in our emotional and mental well-being. Below are seven positive mental health resolutions that you can borrow for your new year.

“I will treat myself with respect and speak nicely about myself.” Try taping a list of positive characteristics about yourself in various places throughout the house to remind you of these affirmations.
“I will be physically active on a daily basis.” Multiple studies show a link between exercise and improved mental health.
“I will act and not react.” Many times we feel like everyone is “pushing our buttons”. When this happens, we are caught up in a reaction cycle. If you know you’ll be around someone who says negative things, plan for this and have a list in your head of disarming statements. You might even consider modifying your plans to limit exposure to negative people.
“I will learn to relax and enjoy.” Many times we become so busy we forget how or even when to take care of ourselves. Find or “re-discover” an activity that is relaxing and enjoyable to you. Dedicate time to this daily or at a minimum, weekly.
“I will be mindful.” Being mindful is about staying in the moment. We cannot change yesterday and we cannot predict tomorrow. We do, however, have control over our attentiveness in the here and now. So, commit to being aware in the moment, and enjoy that moment.
“I will work towards being the person I want to be.” When we see life as a journey and a time to continue to be the person we desire to be, we find hope and fulfillment in our tomorrows.
“I will resolve to be mentally healthy”. There is still a stigma about seeing a mental health professional. However, it is truly one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves. A therapist gives us an unbiased ear and can also help us to understand why we do the things we do … think of seeing a therapist as a mental health oil change. If you need assistance finding a referral, give your AFA EAP a call. Your local AFA EAP committee members are listed at www.afacwa.org/eap. We are just a phone call away.

These suggestions have been adapted from an email written by Chip Coffey, the Director of Outpatient Services at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center.

Personal Strategies for Approaching the Fourteenth Anniversary of September 11th

September 10, 2015 20:42

Personal Strategies for Approaching the Fourteenth Anniversary of September 11th

From Your AFA EAP

Here we are, fourteen years after. We don’t need to ask ’after what?’ We all remember. Like life in general, fourteen years can seem like an eternity and, at the same time, like the blink of an eye.

Looking back, how many of us would have predicted the resiliency that our profession has shown since September 11, 2001? Resiliency, the positive capacity to cope with and adapt to stress and adversity, sometimes means returning to a previous state of functioning. But for Flight Attendants, returning to the familiar was not an option. As we watched the events of that day unfold, we knew that our industry and our profession had changed forever. But where and how did our profession find a new way to cope?

As our numbness cleared in the months that followed, we reached inward to our own professionalism and outward to our flying partners to begin shaping our new norm. From the scars of September 11th, our profession found its voice.

Resilient populations believe that they have the power to take action that will positively affect their situation and their future—that they have an “internal locus of control.” The power of resiliency isn’t a trait; it is the result of taking action. Fighting for enhanced security training, certification, and safer working conditions are examples of our resiliency. Our ability to pick up the pieces and take control, however, relies on our ability to heal. Anniversaries offer an opportunity for healing—a time for acknowledging our memories and experiences; for connecting with others who share in them, and for paying tribute to our individual and collective journeys.

Whether you mark this September 11th with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, dedicating your flying to our profession, or with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services, know that there is no right or better way to recognize the anniversary. The following are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11^th:

Observe the anniversary in a way that’s comfortable for you. Say “no” to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings.
Don’t compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11^th
Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.
Give yourself permission and time to be affected. Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches. Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you’ll be able to pull yourself back together.
Try not to isolate. Isolation can often amplify difficult feelings. Pre-plan now to be with family or friends if you know you have this tendency.
Think through in advance how much and the type of anniversary media coverage you can comfortably absorb. Actively monitor and control what news coverage enters your personal space.
If you are interested in attending scheduled anniversary events, check local community websites . You can plan your own commemorative good deed for the day or volunteer with others at activities listed at 911day.org
Ask for help, support, and opportunities to talk. Your AFA EAP is here to listen. Telephone numbers of your local EAP committee members are listed at afacwa.org under the EAP Section or at afaalaska.org/eap. You can also call the AFA Alaska EAP at 1-949-470-0493 or AFA International EAP at 1-800-424-2406.

Whether you choose to fly on this anniversary or to recognize the day in another way, know that you are part of a Flight Attendant population that celebrates resiliency.

Your AFA EAP is here to support you. We are Members helping Members.

In tribute to all first responders,

Your AFA EAP

Pulse LGBTQ Nightclub Shooting in Orlando