Tag Archives: OSC

A Balanced Shopping Cart = Balanced Meals

Posted on January 4, 2013 by | Leave a comment

What ends up on your plate starts with what you put into your shopping cart, says Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Wallinger, a dietitian with the Navy Physical Readiness Office in her article Balance Your Shopping Cart, Plate. She suggests a shopping strategy will help you get the best food for your money. “Shopping the perimeter of the store is where you will find the least processed food,” said Wallinger, “That’s where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat dairy and lean protein.” Wallinger stressed focusing on a balanced plate rather than a diet plan. She recommended that half of your plate is filled with fruits and vegetables. Some shopping tips:

  •   In-season vegetables will generally have more flavor and are usually less expensive
  • Save money and calories by eating before you go shopping to lessen temptations for snack foods
  • Canned and frozen fruits and vegetables without added salt and sugar can help you meet your daily requirements.
  • Compare food labels and choose foods with fewer ingredients and lower sodium.

Fill one quarter of your plate with grains. Choosing at least 50% of your grains as whole grains increasesthe nutritional value of your foods and keeps you more satisfied. The final quarter is for a serving of lean protein such as poultry, meat, eggs, beans, or seafood. “Perhaps the most important thing to do before you shop,” Wallinger says, “is to plan ahead. Make a list from your menu and stick to it. As much as 50 percent of most shopping carts are filled with impulse buys.” Be mindful of what goes onto your plate! For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy, or http://www.twitter.com

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What’s in a Word? How we Talk About Suicide

Posted on September 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

At some point as a child, an adult probably told you “it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it,” or “actions speak louder than words.” Those phrases take on new meaning when we’re discussing the topic of suicide.

Openly discussing suicide is beneficial for prevention, intervention and postvention. It sends the message that it’s not only acceptable to discuss this sensitive subject, but encouraged as a way to show support to Sailors having difficulty navigating stress on their own. But, the way we discuss it and the words we use can actually have the opposite effect if we’re not aware of best practices. Word choice can make the difference between encouraging help-seeking behavior or contributing to a Sailor’s dwindling perception of his or her life. Sometimes, our actions (being supportive, ACTing) and our words are equally important.

To support the concept of “reducing barriers,” the theme of the final week of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, fact sheets on best practices for talking about suicide are available on www.suicide.navy.mil. The information sheet, “What’s In a Word? How We Talk About Suicide,” provides guidance on responsibly discussing suicide and what to avoid: judgmental language, glamorizing deaths by suicide, oversimplifying causes, etc. Sailors, Suicide Prevention Coordinators, leaders, families and friends should become familiar with these practices to help change the culture and reduce barriers when it comes to seeking help. A version of the document will also be available for the Public Affairs and broadcast media community, to ensure responsible reporting and mitigate risk of suicide contagion (subsequent suicides following certain reporting styles).

A simple change in words, like calling an attempt non-fatal instead of “unsuccessful,” can make a difference. By knowing how to talk about suicide, and knowing when to ACT, we can continue to encourage our shipmates that “it’s okay to speak up when you’re down!”

For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month details, reference NAVADMIN 259/12, visit www.suicide.navy.mil or email caroline.miles.ctr@navy.mil

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Posted in Suicide Prevention, Tools

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It’s Okay to Speak Up When You’re Down

Posted on September 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Navy’s Operational Stress Control and Suicide Prevention programs aim to build psychological strength and resilience. With training and practical tools the programs will help Sailors and leaders better navigate operational stress and increase their capacity to withstand, recover, grow and adapt in the face of stressors and changing demands.

While September is nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the effort to build resilience and emphasize that Life Counts is ongoing.  We work year-round to promote a Navy that rewards help seeking behaviors and encourages the honest discussion of concerns and challenges faced by Sailors and their families – an important first step to help mitigate operational stress and prevent suicide. We want everyone in the Navy to know “It’s Okay to Speak Up When You’re Down.”

This cartoon is by Mike Jones a Senior Chief Petty Officer who knows that stress is a part of everyday life in the Navy.  Not everyone reacts this visibly to stress so we all need to be on the watch for more subtle indicators of negative stress reactions.  If someone reacts like PR3 Smith, know how to ACT (Ask Care Treat) and to get him the appropriate and necessary help.

To view more of the OSC cartoons click here.

For more information on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month visit www.suicide.navy.mil.

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Posted in Cartoons, Stress Zones, Suicide Prevention, Tools

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Know Where the Life Jackets Are – Personalize Your Stress Navigation Plan!

Posted on September 11, 2012 by | Leave a comment

When you’re worried or stressed-out what do you do?  Do you avoid facing the causes of your stress until they begin to wear on you?  Or, do you find someone to talk to when you need to get things off your chest?  Stress is a part of everyday life, especially in the Navy. Whether you’re facing a potentially challenging move or career hurdle, knowing where to go for help ahead of time will help you stop stress issues from becoming stress problems. Do you know where your life jackets are? Readiness doesn’t begin at the time of a crisis. It starts with knowing which tools and resources will help us respond to unforeseen circumstances swiftly and with clarity. Knowing where to find help will provide us with the tools we need, to mitigate the potential negative impacts of stress before they affect our lives. Sometimes finding a way to de-stress is stressful itself – if we don’t know what to do or where to go.  Making a plan ahead of time and practicing it can be a life-saving drill.

Get ahead of your stress. Start by personalizing a Stress Navigation Plan, so you’ll know where your resources —your “life jackets”—are. Use the plan template to think through what you’ll do or who you can talk to when unforeseen circumstances divert your focus.

Stress Navigation Plan templates are now available here and only take 5 minutes to personalize. Take a moment to write down who you can talk to when you encounter work issues, or when you need to re-energize your spirituality. The few thoughtful minutes you spend now may have a significant impact later. Just by writing down what you can do to navigate stress, you’ll be strengthening your personal readiness and be better able to prevent future obstacles from compounding and affecting your life. You don’t have to show your plan to anyone. Put it in a place that you can access easily. Or have it next to your phone so it’s there when you need someone to talk to.

Readiness means being prepared.  Make a plan now and follow it. Knowing where you can go and what to do will help you have the confidence you’ll need to respond to life’s challenges.

Take the stress out of navigating stress. Life counts!

To access the Stress Navigation Plan template, visit www.suicide.navy.mil and click on the Life Counts graphic. Encourage your shipmates, family and friends to personalize one for themselves! Let us know you’ve personalized your plan by tweeting to Operational Stress Control @NavStress or writing on our Facebook wall at http://www.facebook.com/navstress.

For Suicide Prevention Awareness Month details, reference NAVADMIN 259/12, visit www.suicide.navy.mil or email caroline.miles.ctr@navy.mil.

 

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OSC Mobile Training Teams Mark Program Milestones

Posted on August 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Navy’s Operational Stress Control (OSC) Program surpassed a milestone Aug. 10 with completion of the 100th presentation of the Navy Operational Stress Control Leader Course (NAVOSC-LEAD) at NTC Great Lakes, Il. The courses were also provided OCONUS by the OSC Mobile Training Team East during their trips to Guantanamo Bay; Rota, Spain; and Bahrain.

The MTTs deliver both the Navy OSC Leader Course and the Front Line Supervisors Training (FLST) to enhance leaders’ ability to help Sailors and their families better navigate the stresses of Navy life.  The focus on prevention and positive action is designed to help leaders intervene to help shipmates and their families build and maintain wellness.

Navy Operational Stress Control for Leaders Completes 100th Class

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=68950

To schedule training at no cost to your command contact the OSC MTT lead trainers today at:

MTT West – Mr. Ernest Jackson (619) 556-7215 or via email at ernest.s.jackson.ctr(AT)navy.mil

MTT East – Mr. Daniel Danner at (757) 445-7353 ext 1035 or via email at daniel.danner.ctr(AT)navy.mil

For more details on scheduling training for your command reference NAVADMIN 150/12.

http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/NAVADMINS/NAV2012/NAV12150.txt 

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