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Local 591 EAP / Member Assistance

Credit IAM EAP, LAP

March Special Edition 2020

Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks

(from SAMSHSA.gov)

What You Should Know

When you hear, read, or watch news about an outbreak of an infectious disease such as Ebola, you may feel anxious and show signs of stress—even when the outbreak affects people far from where you live and you are at low or no risk of getting sick. These signs of stress are normal and may be more likely or pronounced in people with loved ones in parts of the world affected by the outbreak. In the wake of an infectious disease outbreak, monitor your own physical and mental health. Know the signs of stress in yourself and your loved ones. Know how to relieve stress and know when to get help.

Know the Signs of Stress

What follows are behavioral, physical, emotional, and cognitive responses that are all common signs of anxiety and stress. You may notice some of them after you learn about an infectious disease outbreak.

YOUR BEHAVIOR:

• An increase or decrease in your energy and activity levels
• An increase in your alcohol, tobacco use, or use of illegal drugs
• An increase in irritability, with outbursts of anger and frequent arguing
• Having trouble relaxing or sleeping
• Crying frequently
• Worrying excessively
• Wanting to be alone most of the time
• Blaming other people for everything
• Having difficulty communicating or listening
• Having difficulty giving or accepting help
• Inability to feel pleasure or have fun
• Anxiety

Know How to Relieve Stress

You can manage and alleviate your stress by taking time to take care of yourself.

KEEP THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE:

Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the outbreak, particularly if you have loved ones in places where many people have gotten sick. But make sure to take time away from the news to focus on things in your life that are going well and that you can control.

GET THE FACTS:

Find people and resources you can depend on for accurate health information. Learn from them about the outbreak and how you can protect yourself against illness, if you are at risk. You may turn to your family doctor, a state or local health department, U.S. government agencies, or an international organization. Find reliable links to good sources of information about infectious disease outbreaks.

Sources for Credible Outbreak- Related Health Information

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4027

1-800- CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) https://www .cdc.gov

World Health Organization

Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization

525 23rd Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037

202-974-3000   http://www .who.int/en

Take Good Care of Yourself to Be Able to Take Care of Others

KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY:

• Eat healthy foods, and drink water.
• Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol.
• Do not use tobacco or illegal drugs.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Get physical exercise.

USE PRACTICAL WAYS TO RELAX:

• Relax your body often by doing things that work for you—take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, wash your face and hands, or engage in pleasurable hobbies.
• Pace yourself between stressful activities and do a fun thing after a hard task.
• Use time off to relax—eat a good meal, read, listen to music, take a bath, or talk to family.
• Talk about your feelings to loved ones and friends often.

March Monthly Observances

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Red Cross Month

Hemophilia Awareness month

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Benefits and you

Using Your Spending Accounts

You have three options to use the balance in your Spending Accounts:

1. Smart-Choice Accounts Card

If you are currently enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you will use the Smart-Choice Accounts debit card to access both FSA/HSA funds and your HRA. If you are not currently enrolled in an FSA or HSA, you will receive a new Smart-Choice Accounts debit card in the mail to access earned well- being rewards. You must activate the card in order to use it to pay for eligible Medical, Dental, Prescription, and Vision expenses. Always be sure to save your receipts, as all Spending Accounts may require you to submit documentation.

2. Automatic Reimbursement

If you select the automatic reimbursement method, your HRA and FSAs will automatically reimburse you (via check or direct deposit) whenever you have a claim for eligible Medical, Dental, Prescription, or Vision expenses under the Plan. Note that automatic reimbursement cannot be used for the HSA.

3. Submit Manual Claims

You may submit eligible Medical, Dental, Prescription, and Vision claims for reimbursement online, by mail, or by fax. Visit the American Airlines Benefits Service Center Smart-Choice Accounts site or call Smart-Choice Accounts at 888-860-6178 for instructions and claim submission information.

Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)

How the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) Works

The HCFSA allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible health care expenses. Paying for these expenses pre-tax helps reduce your taxes.

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Local 591 EAP / Member Assistance Representatives

Ken Morse- (815) 483-8585 - k.morse@local591.com

 National EAP and Benefits–Member Assistance Program Coordinator

Hector Posa- (815) 323-9648       ORD MLS EAP-Member Assistance Peer

Mark Smejkal- (847)757-1954- ORD EAP-Member Assistance Peer

Tony Lepore- (940) 536-8817- t.lepore@local591.com

National Benefits and EAP-Member Assistance Coordinator

Danny Wilson-(631) 334-0933- d.wilson@local591.com

Northeast Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator

Rawle Skeet- (954) 559-7505- r.skeete@local591.com

Southeast Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator

Phil Revollo- (954) 665-7383 MIA EAP-Member Assistance Peer

Sean Bruno- (310) 594-2025-s.bruno@local591.com

West Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits Coordinator

Edwin Joseph- (310) 709-4755- jord352000@yahoo.com

West Region Member Assistance Program EAP and Benefits peer Coordinator

John Hadaway- (817) 637-8075- J.hadaway@local591.com

Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (Terminal) EAP and Benefits Coordinator

David San Miguel- (817) 875-5808- D.sanmiguel@local591.com

Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (Hangar) EAP and Benefits Coordinator

David Emerline- (469) 408-8197- EEMERLINEE07@YAHOO.COM

Southwest Region Member Assistance Program (MLS) EAP and Benefits Peer Coordinator

EAP March Special 2020 News Letter.pdf