5.31.22 – Coping With Emotional Stress

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Coping With Emotional Stress

As a nation, we are all grieving, viewing the senseless massacres of fellow Americans just trying to live their lives. Watching the loss of the lives of innocent children pierces our souls.

Taking in this amount of trauma wears on your psyche. We need to remain vigilant in caring for our mental health. Taking in so much heartache can lead to physical and mental dysfunction. We should try to set aside time to make an effort to relieve this stress.

How to Cope with Emotional Stress

• Permit yourself to feel bad. Like a cold or the flu, emotional stress has to run its course.
• Stay in touch with others and do not isolate yourself. Allow for supportive people to assist you. Reach out to people who care, others who share similar emotions, family, friends, clergy, coworkers, a therapist, and other available resources.
• Stay active. Maintain a normal, active, and productive schedule and modify it if necessary. Physical exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. Exercise burns away stress chemicals in the body. Do things that make you happy!
• Take care of yourself and avoid stressful situations until you heal. Make time for relaxation. Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Eat well-balanced meals. Get plenty of rest. Avoid hazardous activities. Turn off the news. Delay making major life decisions until your stress level lowers.

---

Available Resources 

If you need assistance, please take advantage of the resources available.

(817) 540-0108, prompt #2.

Your APFA EAP Rep on call will be able to discuss your issue and offer answers or referrals as needed.

(855) 333-2327
[email protected]

The Flight Attendant Drug and Alcohol Program (FADAP) is a voluntary confidential program for Flight Attendants and their family members to seek help dealing with substance abuse. Visit the FADAP website to learn more about services offered, recovery resources, and substance abuse information and education.

Wings of Sobriety

Wings of Sobriety follows a 12-Step format for AA Flight Attendants and includes other airlines. They offer virtual meetings on Wednesday at 3PM ET, and Sundays at 5 PM ET.

Flight Attendants In Recovery (FAIR)
[email protected]

Flight Attendants in Recovery is a peer to peer support group for AA Flight Attendants. It does not follow a 12-Step format. They offer weekly virtual meetings on Thursdays at 3 PM ET.

Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)
(800) 998-8194

CIRT is available for confidential assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a program that was developed as a collaborative effort between American Airlines and EAP to assist Flight Attendants after experiencing a critical or traumatic workplace event.

In Solidarity,

Sharon Dunn
APFA EAP Representative
[email protected]

Deb McCormick
Project Coordinator, FADAP
[email protected]