Combat stress teams help Soldiers in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth | The 883rd Medical Company at Logistical Support Area Anaconda works to schedule appointments for mental health services.  

12.15.2005

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

Some battlefield wounds don't leave visible scars, but cut deeper than any bullet could.

The mission of the 883rd Medical Company Combat Stress Control team is to help treat wounds that are not measured in liters of blood or broken bones. They work to heal the minds of Soldiers exposed to the stresses of modern armed conflict.

"We're broken down into two teams, a restoration team and prevention team, and both of them have a little bit different focus," Maj. Ed Moschella, a psychiatric nurse with the 883rd at Logistical Support Area Anaconda, said.

"The restoration team is based in the clinic. We do all of the clinic operations. We teach classes, see patients on a regular basis, handle command referrals and consultations," he said. "We also have psychiatrists here that provide behavioral health services."

The Patriot Clinic at LSA Anaconda offers psycho-education, redeployment education and screenings, and a residential program. Handling command referrals is a major part of the work they do.

"The first step in the process is to determine what the command's intent is. Are they looking to do a formal mental status evaluation to determine the Soldier's rehabilitative potential versus seeing if they're competent to participate in administrative actions?" Moschella said. "Then we spend time talking to the Soldiers and find out what the Soldiers" interests and needs are."

Moschella said the two groups of Soldiers using the clinic the most are new arrivals and those who are going home.

"People early on in their deployment will find they're having adjustment difficulties for a variety of reasons." Moschella said. "Maybe they're new in country, or have been cross-leveled into a unit that they have no working relationship with prior to the deployment."

For Soldiers, smoothing the transition into a high-stress combat zone can take a little work on their part, but is worth the payoff of a reduced-stress environment.

"Learn to develop healthy coping skills. The folks we usually see early on are the folks who for whatever reason have a hard time adapting," Moschella said. "Enjoy some recreational activity and communicate with your family."

Moschella also said taking care of the body helps take care of the mind. Some basic personal maintenance can help ease day-to-day stress.

"First, take care of yourself. Make sure you're eating, getting plenty of fluids. Make sure you're getting four to six hours of rest a night, Moschella said. "Also, develop a relationship with a battle-buddy so that you have someone that you can confide in and turn to for support in difficult times."

Many issues Soldiers have are not related to the anxieties of a new location or a new unit. Soldiers preparing to redeploy have a different set of reasons for seeking help.

"The second biggest group of folks we're seeing is people redeploying. Although redeployment is generally a positive and happy time, it has its own set of difficulties and it's a very stressful time for Soldiers," Moschella said. "As the operational tempo slows down for people who are redeploying, they begin to realize they've just been through whatever type of experience it's been for them. Whatever the issues are that they've dealt with, they may not be at the forefront because they've been so caught up in their mission. As they start to wind down they have more idle time on their hands, they start realizing "Wow, I've been exposed to some really stressful events," and that's when a lot of the reactions begin to surface."

Moschella said Soldiers on their way out of theater may seek care from military providers because talking about their experiences in Iraq with friends or family may not create the support they hoped for.

"When you've been exposed to some pretty horrible stuff, families don't know how to deal with that when you tell them," Moschella said. "Everybody's first inclination is to share their experience with the people that are close to them, and a lot of folks aren't equipped to offer support when they hear stories that are pretty overwhelming."

• Date Taken: 12.15.2005
• Date Posted: 12.15.2005 08:57
• Story ID: 4104