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Family Advocacy improves stress management class

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Scott AFB Family Advocacy Program emphasizes using tools to help individuals change their behavior in the stress management class they offer beneficiaries.

The start of the New Year may bring on a desire for change for those who struggle with excessive stress or anger issues. This free class seeks to offer real modification to how to react to stressful life situations in a more constructive way.

William White, the Family Advocacy Program Outreach Manager, said, "The class provides insight, practical techniques, and strategies, based on five tools that can help achieve balance, fulfillment, and success. The techniques offered in class can be applied immediately and offer a framework for making better decision on how to decrease stress and increase health and wellness."

It is open to all active duty servicemembers, spouses, retirees, and civilians, and usually there are two to three participants in each class.

The tools class is based on the work of therapist Phil Stutz and psychotherapist Berry Michels, who co-authored the book used in the class, "The Tools: 5 Tools to Help you Find Courage, Creativity, and Willpower and Inspire you to Live Life in Forward Motion."

The course gives participants a chance to practice and learn new practical techniques that can be applied straightaway. Each class is specially designed to help participants find the courage, creativity, and will-power to flourish, said White.

Good communication skills come from having the skills to address various life situations. Most people desire to become better communicators however lack the tools to communicate effectively.

This class highlights the importance of self-communication: to know how you can express yourself, control anger, defeat anxiety, and master the obstacles that otherwise may be avoided.

To make the discussed tools work in cohesion, the class insists that one tool, discipline, must be found.

The authors Stutz and Michels said of discipline, "This tool ensures that you'll use the other four tools for the rest of your life. It makes you appreciate that every moment of your life matters."

White said, "The Family Advocacy Program is committed to building healthy communities, and it is essential we provide our community with classes that help achieve those healthy relationships that allow us to realize our potential for meaningful, productive, and joyful lives."

Anyone interested in joining the next classes can call 256-7203 and register. The next classes are Jan. 20 and 27.