Pulling over for the night to rest, waiting out poor driving conditions, and securing a sober ride are excellent examples of dynamic risk management; Inclement weather, fatigue, or drinking and driving can disrupt the best of holiday plans.

Trash can make you a target:    www.usar.army.mil

Boxes from items like jewelry or electronics left curbside for trash collection provide good indicators to potential burglars about what high-value items are located in the house.

Don’t broadcast your activities over the Internet. Criminals troll through pages hoping to find tips and clues on empty houses. Posts on social media sites about an upcoming vacation can be an invitation to someone looking to burglarize your home.

Preparing food:

Fully thaw your turkey before lowering it into a turkey frier. A frozen turkey and boiling hot oil are a recipe for a fire. Make sure all friers and grills are at least 20 feet from the house and not under the porch roofs or around combustibles. Have a fire extinguisher nearby to be ready for an unexpected fire.

Make sure to refrigerate cooked foods within 2 hours to avoid the growth of bacteria. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 4 days.

The holiday season is one of the most special times of the year for the Army Reserve with Soldiers and their families celebrating their own unique traditions. Many of us are eager to catch up on travel and precious time with family and friends. However, we can all do our part to avoid unnecessary risk, since they can become more prevalent when distracted by holiday activities.

Whether you’re planning to stay home and host for the holidays or travel to be with your loved ones, getting tips from an expert can make for a smooth holiday season. One of those experts is Michael Tulley, U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) Safety Director, whose career is focused on mitigating risk. Through his experiences in service as a Soldier, and now a Civilian, Mr. Tulley knows firsthand that continuously reassessing hazards and adjusting mitigation strategies as conditions change is just as effective off duty as it is during a mission.

There are many ways we can protect our families and homes during the upcoming holiday season including:

Planning and ensuring the car is safe before and during road trips

Practicing safety as you decorate

Following food safety standards in cooking and storing foods

Discreetly disposing of trash from high-value items

Being mindful of social media posts about upcoming travel

#thanksgiving #safetytips #christmas #tips

The post Safety Strategies to Follow in Upcoming Months   appeared first on Good News!.

Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Part of that reality may also include living with the stigma and negative attitudes associated with mental health care, which can pose a significant barrier for individuals to seek help.

The issues surrounding mental health also impact Soldiers serving in the Army Reserve. These men and women face the stressors that come with holding down a civilian job along with the responsibilities of school, family, and being a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier.

In order to help combat the problems surrounding mental illness, confiding in others can be a great comfort and help for those suffering from psychological health issues.

Helping address these issues with Soldiers is not only important to them, their careers and their families, but also to the nation and the Americans that they serve.

However, often those in the military may choose to try and handle these types of problems on their own. That’s where the Army Reserve Psychological Health Program can serve a crucial role.

The trained psychological health professionals who are part of this program are passionate about delivering world-class behavioral health services. They offer clinical assessment and referrals for mental health issues to achieve and sustain the most resilient and mentally fit force in the nation.

Colonel Melissa L. Mitravich, FHP-BC, MSN, MSS, AN, Director of Psychological Health Program, United States Army Reserve Command, Surgeon Directorate. She discusses how to break down the barriers and stigma associated with receiving mental health care, as well as how we can help assist Soldiers and their families.

Interview is courtesy: U.S. Army Reserve
usar/

#mental #health #awareness #month #may #reducing #stigma #surrounding #colonel #melissa #mitravich #psychological #army #reserve #command #surgeon #soldiers #care #families #usar

The post May is Mental Health Awareness Month REDUCING THE STIGMA SURROUNDING MENTAL HEALTH appeared first on Good News!.