Beyond the Awareness Day: A Step-by-Step Look at the Responders Recharge- mental health Kit

As we continue to recognize World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share an initiative at the Station Medicare Center (SMC) unit at 9 BRD that is very close to my heart.

The SMC unit is a powerhouse of care. Every team member diligently performs their duty, serving airmen and their families for their medical needs. While compassion and care are sincerely carried out throughout the year—and I love the energy of the team here—I decided to create a dedicated Mental Health Kit for the unit as a tangible, year-round follow-up reminder.

The Invisible Stress: Why Muscle Memory Isn't Enough

You may believe the chaos is managed anyway—the rushing patient, the doctor's call, the caregiver's distress. Yes! Over years of experience, we develop muscle memory, and as soon as a case comes in, we're off to the task, running like superhumans to save the world.

I thought so too, but we just talked about how our body and mind are wired for the automatic Fight, Flight, and Freeze response. The body’s ancient "Alarm Center" overrides the logical "Thinking Center" when pressure peaks. I believe that even as we execute our tasks flawlessly, our body has already picked up the stress from the environment. Afterward, it shows up as exhaustion. With no healthy strategies of recharging self, this stress piles up and becomes a source of burnout. I emphasize in my sessions to not be taking this very lightly, in-fact , as soon as you identify the pressure rising just switch to the recharge and find the energy back instead of draining it all at once.

This is why stress management isn't fighting a natural response; it’s about updating the software of an old survival system. Now this is not all text book but a much evident truth in todays time and age. Your Apple phone is also updating its versions right? why not you??

What’s in the Responders Recharge Kit?

The goal of the kit was simple: to provide a quick Access Point back to a calm, logical state. Each element is a physical reminder linked to a core grounding or self-regulation technique they can use in under a minute.

Kit Item with Technique & Purpose can be found below:

Scented Element Vagal Simulator (Smell/Touch): Engages the sensory system to instantly quiet the mind and activate the Vagal Nerve (the body's "Rest and Digest" super-highway). I used a cotton ball that is scented with a mild fragrance. We included in our discussion about Vagal stimulator activity of humming for 30 seconds can also be helpful.

Tactile Object Grounding: A textured or heavy item that pulls the mind out of a racing thought loop and anchors focus back to the present moment (using the sense of touch). I used a stone with positive inspirational word written on it.

Written Reminder The Recharge Prescription: A small grounding technique card listing the steps to implement and a prompt to commit to one restorative action in the next 24 hours (I included a scan card for guided meditation).

Small Visual Focus Element: A tiny, specific object to practice visual focus, a simple way to bring the logical "Thinking Center" back online in the midst of chaos. ( I used a book mark with impactful quote.

A Labor of Love and Discipline

It took me a while to prepare all of these kits, but I enjoyed every minute of the process. Being so passionate about this work, it was truly a labor of love for this dedicated team.

However, the kit itself is only half the solution. It is crucial to make this "Responders Recharge" your daily manual and discipline yourself for it. When you are healthy, you can do justice to both, the world you want to serve and to yourself!

The simple choice to re-center is an acknowledgement that your presence matters and you are worthy of protection.

Choosing to recharge is an act of self-respect.

This blog is part of my new professional website, which serves as a central hub for all my resources and insights. I am so excited to be doing this finally! Thank you for visiting!

Always remember, "Self-care is not a luxury, it is an act of self-respect."

*If you plan to conduct such session in your corporate office, or within organization where you work as a facilitator or psychologist, You can DM for orders for preparing such mental health kits: (Can customize it)- 9860472020- Watsapp only.