FSS embraces new Healthy Thinking class

  • Published
  • By Christin Michaud
  • 512th Airman and Family Readiness
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As part of their annual tour this month, members of the 512th Force Support Squadron attended the first class offered by the 512th Airlift Wing's new Psychological Health director Sept. 22, 2014, in Bldg. 262.

Training and educational classes like Healthy Thinking, is one of Chris Lewis' non-clinical services he provides to the wing.

The class incorporated topics like mindfulness and relaxation with a brief highlight on suicide prevention and resiliency.

"In today's fast-paced, task-saturated world, we must find ways to keep our thoughts and outlook centered and focused on being positive," said Maj. Crystal Beach, 512th FSS commander. 

The resiliency class fit with the Wingman's Day theme of finding the good, added the major.

Quality of life is determined by our happiness, stressed the instructor.

"How and what we think directly affects how we feel," said Lewis.

Thoughts often become words, and when feelings are the source of a response, the result can be negative.

Lewis challenged those in attendance to choose their responses carefully, because you can never know what the impact may have on someone, adding that little ears are very impressionable.

"The class helped me re-focus my thoughts and gave me a clearer perspective on what's truly important," said Tech. Sgt. Nick Glatz, Personnel Systems manager.

Filled with laughter, food and fun, the pause was a reminder to not take things too seriously, particularly things people may have no control over.

"It was definitely a much-needed break for us to focus on the well being of ourselves and each other," said Senior Airman Alexandria Bicknell, 512th FSS commander's support staff.

Lewis, with more than 40 years of experience working in the behavioral health field, offers a variety of classes and can also assist Liberty Wing personnel with short-term, solution-based counseling. He can be reached at 302-241-3085 or by e-mailing albert.lewis.13@us.af.mil.