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AFA Employee Assistance Program Newsletter

Enhancing

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health, safety and well-being of AFA members

August 28, 2009

 

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Flight Attendants Helping Flight Attendants

PERSONAL STRATEGIES FOR APPROACHING THE ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11th - From Your AFA EAP

Remember

As we approach the anniversary of September 11th, many of us will begin to plan how we'll recognize this day. Anniversaries offer an opportunity to acknowledge our memories and experiences, to connect with others who share in them, and to pay tribute to our individual and collective journeys. They can also serve as personal and professional milestones of our healing and resiliency.

For some, September 11th will be marked with private personal gestures such as observing a moment of silence, spending quiet time reflecting, or dedicating our flying to our profession. For others, it will be marked with collective activities such as ceremonies and memorial services.

There is no right way or better way to recognize the anniversary; but, there are some suggestions that may prove helpful as we approach the anniversary of September 11th.

  • Observe the anniversary in a way that's comfortable for you. Say no to events or activities that you sense may flood you with too many feelings. Find more gentle ways of honoring the anniversary.
     
  • Don't compare yourself to how others around you appear to be dealing with the September 11th anniversary.
     
  • Acknowledge that we all heal at different rates, in different ways, and with different outcomes.
     
  • Give yourself permission and time to be affected. Though uncomfortable, anticipate and plan for having a stress reaction as the anniversary approaches. Trust that if you have moments of difficulty, you'll be able to pull yourself back together.
     
  • Try not to isolate yourself. Pre-plan now to be with people if you know you have this tendency.
     
  • However you choose to structure your day this September 11th or however it just naturally unfolds, please remember that your AFA EAP committee representatives welcome being a part of it. If you or a flying partner needs a confidential ear, please call us at 1-800-424-2406 or find your local EAP representatives' contact information at www.afanet.org. Remember, we're just a phone call away.

USA MEC EAP Chairperson
Deborah A. McCormick

Local EAP Numbers

Washington # 41 Annette Hill 703-212-0580
Barbara Collier 202-230-7026
Walter Davis 202-230-7633
Philadelphia-#70 Mark King (chairperson) 267-455-7561
  Angela 'Cookie' Turner 404-423-3793
  Candace Ackerman 267-250-4459
Lee Jarrell 215-554-1917
New York-#82 Brain Bratlien 917-941-3398
Charlotte-#89 Jackie Anthony (chairperson) 704-579-0857
Laurie Harkenrider (chairperson) 704-501-6308
  Lucy Mosby 704-299-0658
  Eloise Dean 910-465-2112
  Terri Flynt 910-943-1977
  Jeffrey Steele 704-258-4350
Boston-#69

Deborah McCormick

401-225-1459

Should you not be able to contact a peer representative, you may also call the International AFA EAP help-line at 1-800-424-2406 or 1-202-434-0560 to assist you with accessing resources.

USA MEC EAP Chairperson
Deborah A. McCormick

401-294-6107
401-225-1459 (Cell)

Copyright 2006 - AFA USAirways EAP - dmccormick@afausairways.org