Early intervention key to emotional wellness Published March 9, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Editor's note: This is the tenth in a series of articles about personal wellness. A single pebble in a person's shoe may seem harmless enough, but if ignored it can become crippling. Problems don't disappear just because they aren't acknowledged, and quite often they get worse. Emotions are like those pebbles in a person's mind, if they go unexpressed, they can bore a larger and larger hole until that person becomes emotionally empty. Maj. Marc Silverstein, 81st Medical Operations Squadron mental health clinic chief, said that ignoring emotional needs could lead to feelings of sadness and difficulty balancing responsibilities. Over time it can also lead to a much more serious condition, depression. Depression can almost shut a person down and make it difficult to function in everyday life. "Some common signs are irritability, loss of appetite, loss of pleasure in things that used to be pleasurable, difficulty in sleeping or sleeping too much and feeling hopeless," Major Silverstein said. He also said that if you notice someone who seems depressed, talk to that person to find out what's bothering them and then urge them to talk to a professional. There are several ways to reduce stress and maintain a healthy mind. "Maintain a positive attitude and focus on what is going well in life or a situation versus focusing on the negatives; eat a balanced diet free of saturated fats, high sugars and caffeinated beverages; maintain a regular exercise program at least four times per week; have hobbies and activities, especially outdoors; avoid hibernating indoors; and talk with friends, family or a mental health professional," said Major Silverstein. The major said that resiliency is the ability to bounce back from challenging situations and to know that it's possible to get through any circumstance. He said that building resiliency is like learning a foreign language or practicing a sport -- it takes daily practice. Some techniques include being optimistic, focusing on the positive instead of the negative, putting problems into perspective, seeking advice and support from others, being able to look back at the past and staying healthy. "Maintain a healthy lifestyle balanced with good eating and exercise habits, playing sports, reading, listening to music, venting stressors to friends and family and keeping a positive attitude,"Major Silverstein said. The mental health clinic, family advocacy, military and family life consultants, chaplains, airman and family readiness center, a wingman, your chain of command, your doctor and Military One Source are resources available to the Keesler family for help with difficult situations or emotional distress. For more information, call the mental health clinic, 376-0385.