Resiliency: The ability to withstand, recover

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Air Force has been at war for more than 18 years, and even with the manpower shortage and operation tempo increase the Air Forces' ability to fly, fight and win has proven that many Airmen are able to bounce back or be resilient.

But not every Airman is able to bounce back as quickly as others or at all, and Airmen aren't the only ones affected by war, disasters or tragedies, families and friends may be affected as well.

However, the good news is mental resilience is a skill that can be learned and agencies on base want to help.

"We have the tool-kit so to speak to help people bounce back and get through it." Capt. Laura Boylan, 23d Aerospace Medical Squadron resiliency element chief.

Services such as Mental Health, Airman and Family Readiness Center, Health and Wellness center, Chaplain and Family Advocacy are all available to ensure that if an Airman wants to reach out for help, they get it.

"A resilient person is aware of when they need help and reaches out," said Master Sgt. Richard Setlock, 93d Air Ground Operations Wing superintendent of TACP operations and master resiliency trainer.

Resiliency training focuses on building six core competencies: self awareness, self regulation, optimism, mental agility, strengths of character and connection.

"Self awareness allows them to take a step back and challenge what they are thinking," said Setlock "If it is accurate then they can change how they feel."

Most Airman will experience circumstances in their life that may be difficult and must be open to receiving the help that they need.

Moody's resiliency element offers command consultations, unit specific resiliency briefings, pre and post deployment briefings as well as traumatic stress response interventions. For more information, call the mental health resiliency element at 229-257-3898.