Happy ThanksgivingÂ
By JoAnna Randisi, MSW
Thanksgiving is a day when friends and family gather together, eat lots of delicious food, and remember what they are thankful for. Military service members, law enforcement officers and their families do not always have this same luxury. They have to find different ways around celebrating and connecting with one another due to their work schedules, being deployed or stationed away from home. However, even with these hardships, it is still possible for military, law enforcement and their families to find creative ways to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Connection
While it may not be ideal, connecting with loved ones virtually can actually bring a sense of comfort, especially when utilizing video call applications such as FaceTime and Zoom. Even a phone call, just to hear each other’s voice, is enough to feel close to those who may be far away.
Another way you can connect with loved ones during this time is by sending them gifts or letters in the mail! While the internet has allowed us to connect instantaneously, sending letters and gifts to show your appreciation for one another holds a sense of novelty.
Support
Check in with your co-workers, command officers, and other personnel to see if they have anything planned for Thanksgiving. Some senior leaders in the military will hold a Thanksgiving dinner for their personnel in order to bring service members together, others may find themselves invited over to someone’s home to celebrate with their family.
Law enforcement officers may have a slightly different experience to military personnel in the sense that they may not find themselves far away from home but rather working on Thanksgiving. If this is the case for you, be sure to have extra food and clothing. Ask for support from your fellow officers and/or your higher command. Be sure to participate in any Thanksgiving festivities your unit may be hosting!
Coping Skills
Focus on one day at a time. Break things down into smaller pieces, even if you can only focus on one task at a time, one hour or one moment.
Tap into your connections and supports! Make sure to stay in touch with those you love and have a plan to celebrate even if it’s not on the day of.
Find a distraction. Something that can help you to keep busy and your mind at ease. Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or learning something new!
Give yourself permission to feel. No matter what the feeling may be: sadness, grief, joy, gratefulness, anger, loneliness etc. Letting yourself feel can be cathartic. Writing things down or speaking aloud to yourself are both ways that can help you to reflect on your emotions.
Ask for help! You are never alone and there are others who are willing to help in any way that they can, most likely because they have experienced the same things. We are social creatures after all.
We are always here for you. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our team to begin working on your own self-care plan. Or sign up for one of our group programs.
If you or your loved one are experiencing an emergency or mental health crisis, please utilize the information below:
Emergency Services: 911
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
24 hour CopLine Hotline: 1-800-267-5463
Veteran Crisis Hotline: Dial 988 then Press 1
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