Virtual Workshops to Help Military and Veteran Communities Cope During COVID-19

The American Red Cross is launching a new virtual workshop for active military members, Guard, Reservists, veterans, and their families that addresses unique stressors felt by this community during the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is the first time the Red Cross will be utilizing a virtual platform for a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) workshop. Michael Willis, a licensed mental health professional, is one of the facilitators for the virtual workshop. Dr. Willis notes sources of stress can vary from individual to individual, as well as the ways in which we each cope with stress.  He points out that, in addition to the uncertainty, stress and isolation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a lot of loss, and with that, a lot of grief. Dr. Willis notes the loss isn't just about the death of a loved one but can also include the loss of a job and connections to family, friends and co-workers, and it is important to know how to cope with the grief that accompanies it.  For military personnel and their families, these losses are compounded by additional stressors such as delayed reunions or altered deployment schedules.  In addition, veterans may have difficulty accessing community resources that provide medical and behavioral health services, training or social support, which can affect mental health during this time of sheltering-in-place.

Although the in-person and virtual workshops encourage attendee participation through discussion and sharing, such participation is voluntary.  People can also attend and only listen. All content shared by participants in the workshop is kept confidential. The 60-90-minute virtual workshop will cover topics such as the signs and symptoms of stress, effective communication to decrease stress, relaxation exercises, recommendations for better sleep, stress reduction techniques and establishing a relationship between what you think and how you feel. 

Dr. Michael Willis  

The SAF workshop facilitators, like Dr. Willis, are all licensed mental health professionals, and deeply committed to helping the Service members, veterans and their families.  Dr. Willis has been a SAF volunteer since 2014 and has led over 40 reconnection workshops of which 14 workshops focused specifically on stress management for the American Red Cross SAF division.    He also represented the Red Cross on an Honor Flight to Washington DC to provide mental health support to the participating veterans. When presenting the workshops, his favorite part is interacting with participants during the activity portions, and Dr. Willis believes the most beneficial aspect of the program is the "toolbox" of stress management techniques the participants take with them.

To learn more about the workshop, or to register, contact your local American Red Cross chapter, or contact them by visiting redcross.org and entering your zip code.

Story by: Karin Schneider, Communications Volunteer

American Red Cross, Western New York Region

National Volunteer Week: Disaster Action Team Volunteer Anna Underhill

In observation of National Volunteer Week, we are highlighting some of our extraordinary volunteers who serve our communities every day. 

Today, communications volunteer Karin Schneider introduces us to Disaster Action Team member Anna Underhill. 

Anna Underhill

Anna Underhill, a woman in her 20s, found her way to the Disaster Action Team (DAT) during a blood platelet donation.  While at the donation center, she saw a local news story about a DAT response to a home fire. Anna felt drawn to the services DAT teams provide to people who are impacted by home fires - funds for immediate need items, lodging, and most importantly, emotional support, so she contacted her local Red Cross chapter in Ontario County to sign-up. 

Initially, she felt intimidated by the amount of training being a DAT member requires. However, since most of it was online, she was able to work on it around her schedule.  Once her formal training was complete, she went on responses as a trainee, being guided by her mentor, until she graduated to member status.   About 15 people are on DAT teams in Ontario, and if they are called to five fires during a month, it is a busy one, but DAT also helps the community in other ways.  For example, Anna and other DAT members install smoke alarms in homes and man a table at the local farmer's market once a month to provide information about disaster preparedness.

What makes Anna rare as a DAT member is her age.  Most DAT members are decades older than her, and I was curious about Anna's thoughts as to why more young people don't join DAT.  She said her peers do want to volunteer, but usually for one-time events.  She thinks the idea of a long-term volunteer commitment scares off some, and others are intimidated by the idea of helping others during a crisis.  I then asked how Anna made it work for her.  She said although her initial thought of helping people in crisis was a daunting one, the training and mentoring she received made her feel very prepared for the role.  Although the training is extensive, it is absolutely possible to do it around one's schedule.  House fires are unpredictable, of course, so she cannot schedule around those, but options are to respond when available, or pick a shift to be on call when she can make responses a priority (i.e. an overnight shift since she works during the day).

Regardless of age, the DAT members are a very committed group of volunteers, and the residents they serve during time of need can attest to the invaluable help that is provided both during and after a crisis. Yet, since home fires and other emergencies can happen to anyone, regardless to age, race and economic status, it can only make DAT stronger when the members are as diverse as the communities they serve.  In addition, having members at different stages of life provides reinforcement. For example, retirees can cover day responses younger working people cannot. In return, younger people can cover responses at night that older members may be hesitant to, and during times like now, when Matilda’s Law is in effect.  Fortunately for all, DAT is currently able to handle most responses virtually to conform to social distancing rules and protect the volunteers and neighbors they serve.

To learn more about what it means to be a DAT member, please contact your local Red Cross chapter, or you read more about it here. 

-Story by: Karin Schneider, American Red Cross Communications Volunteer

Coping with COVID-19

It’s important to keep our minds healthy in addition to our bodies. However, COVID-19 has had an effect on our mental health in a variety of ways — from causing stress, to cutting us off from friends, family and co-workers. So how can we reduce the impact on our psyche? This week we chatted with Susan Peek, a long-time Red Crosser currently volunteering with Disaster Mental Health, about COVID coping tips to help keep our mental wellbeing healthy.

 

 Keeping in Contact

“We need to change the language around ‘social distancing’,” Susan says. “Social distancing” sends the wrong message: it’s isolating and imprecise. A better term, she says, is “physical distancing,” because maintaining contact with friends and family remains crucial. Picking up the phone and calling loved ones can go a long way toward not only helping your mental health, but that of those you’re talking to, too.

Practicing Grounding

Next up is grounding, a technique where you anchor yourself with facts to allay fears. In practical terms, Susan recommends limiting yourself to reputable sources of information about the virus like the Red Cross, or the World Health Organization. Grounding works by challenging negative thinking, allowing you to “take a step back”, which helps reduce fears and worries.

Nailing down a Routine

Maintaining a routine helps give you structure and lessens your day-to-day mental load. It can be hard to keep to a routine during a lockdown, but Susan strongly recommends it as a COVID coping tip. At the same time, it can be difficult to “switch off” from a routine, which is why Susan recommends…

Remembering Self-Care

One thing we hear a lot from people working from home is that it’s tough to set boundaries. “I’m already working on the couch all day, what’s an hour more?” Let’s dump that mindset, Susan recommends, and practice more self-care! Self-care can take many forms, but boils down to a fundamental question: what do I need to feel good? From a walk in the sun amongst some fresh scenery to an elongated coffee break, it’s important to be looking out for our feelings and emotions during a crisis.

 

In addition to keeping ourselves healthy and safe, it’s important to also consider our mental wellbeing by applying Susan’s tips: staying in contact with our loved ones, grounding ourselves, building a routine, and practicing self-care. Additional coping tips are available on our website. On that note, it’s proven that altruism can help our mental health by giving us positive feelings — have you booked your next blood donation?

Story by: Tim Snedden, Communications Volunteer
American Red Cross, Western New York Region

Donating In Honor of Natalie and Lauren

Natalie and Lauren Wolniewicz received 30
blood transfusions.

On April 1, a very special blood drive took place in Springville, about half an hour south of Buffalo. The community turned out to show their support at a time when blood donations are urgently needed. 

It was in honor of Natalie and Lauren Wolniewicz: Now 2 years old, the twins were born 16 weeks early.  During the five months Natalie and Lauren spent in newborn intensive care, they received a total of 30 blood transfusions from donors.

The twins’ mother, Julie Wolniewicz, is new to volunteering with the American Red Cross.

“I’d donated blood in the past,” Julie told me, “but I’d never really considered that blood transfusions were for babies too.”

After a nurse mentioned Red Cross blood drives this February, Julie sprang into action. Setting up a blood drive, she reasoned, was the perfect opportunity to help out the community during a time of need.

Photos courtesy: Julie Wolniewicz

She dived in, organizing the upcoming drive with Mary Lattimer and Andrew Chung from Western New York’s Red Cross. One month later, and the Springville blood drive was fully booked.

Julie found that setting up the blood drive was an easy experience. Resources were simple to find and Red Cross staff were enthusiastic to help. Even more eager than usual, perhaps — nearly 10,000 blood drives have been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak, representing 300,000 fewer donations collected.  In order to ensure blood products are available to all who need them, maintaining supply is crucial.

Safety and infection control are the highest priorities of the Red Cross at blood drives. Everyone’s temperatures are checked before the drive, social distancing guidelines are observed, hand sanitizer is readily available, and surfaces are regularly disinfected. With a blood transfusion needed every two seconds in the U.S, blood donations remain a constant necessity.

Root 39 Event Center in Springville, NY

Julie’s blood drive was already fully booked by the weekend before. In spite of the outbreak, Springville’s community came together, while still keeping their distance. They filtered into Root 39 — a refurbished barn that makes for a beautiful event space — to give back a little in honor of Lauren and Natalie.

And now, at two years old, the twins are growing fast. The future looks bright for Lauren and Natalie Wolniewicz, and Julie reckons they’ll start causing trouble soon enough.

You can help kids like Natalie and Lauren by donating blood. Make an appointment for your next donation with the Red Cross today.

-Tim Snedden
American Red Cross Communications Volunteer