Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in En Route- Mental Health Priorities

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in En Route- Mental Health Priorities

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in En Route- Mental Health Priorities
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snips)

She weighed her options. Would she prefer he agree that things couldn’t go on as they were? Absolutely. But the depth of his denial was such that it overrode everything but his sense of survival. This was fight or flight in action, even if it looked different than others might expect. He wasn’t fine, not by a long shot.[o]What’s changed, Commander Alden, is that your well being is being made a priority and we’re not willing to let you slip through the cracks anymore. You matter, and it’s time for you to learn to believe that as well.[o]

Roman had nothing to say to that except another bout of avoiding eye contact.

Leah grabbed her PADD again. [o]Okay, next question is pretty simple. What sort of activities or hobbies do you engage in when you’re not working, and how often would you say you take part in them?[o]

~Leah Hart, NP

“Martial arts, violin… Reading. A few times per week.” He answered. That was an easy and simple question.

~ Roman

She nodded and made notes and then looked up again.[o]And who would you consider to be in your support network? They are the ones that help you accomplish your goals, provide support when you are having a hard day, things like that?[o]

~Leah Hart, NP

“Just Rand. Uh, the ship yeoman.” There was no one else he was that close to. Kovan, maybe. He wasn’t sure. He shrugged.

~ Roman

[o]I know you two are married. Is she supportive of you going through this process? Is she even aware you’ve been asked to have this eval?[o] Leah asked. Given his deep denial, it would not have surprised her if he said no.

~Leah Hart, NP

“Engaged, not married. We don’t want the fleet separating us.” Roman was quick to correct her. He wore a black stone ring with a brilliant blue stone, but it was in fact an engagement ring. “She knows. She’s happy, I think. She’s… well, she’s in the room.” He admitted.

~ Roman

Leah nodded, slightly encouraged. [o]Okay then. In fact, that makes this next part easier. So, I am going to file a partial report, saying that I can’t complete the eval until I get to the Sentinel. That buys us some time, but also gives you a chance to process our conversation. Over the next two weeks, I want you to keep a log of any and all symptoms that some up. Both the things we’ve talked about and anything else we haven’t. There is not judgement about this list. It just is. But symptoms point us in particular directions, and I need to know what we’re working with. This is where your fiancee can help both in determining if something is out of the ordinary, and to keep you accountable. I also want you to keep a sleep log, even if you’re taking medication. I want to know when you’re going to be, when you’re getting up, and quality. And other than that, continue with your hobbies. They are great for stress reduction and essential in this process. Any questions about all that?[o]

~Leah Hart, NP

“No questions.” Roman stated simply. He looked… stressed, but also just defeated and tired. “Anything else?” He asked.

~ Roman

Hart considered him for a moment. [o]Yes. I know of this was ideal, and it is a lot to process and you are going to have to juggle this with everything else. Know that I am taking that into consideration. Which means you may need to lean on other people. Your fiancee can’t be asked to be your only support, and you are a part of the command team. I have no idea what your working relationship with the captain is, but it would behoove you to include her in this process if you feel you can. It’s not mandatory but a strong suggestion.[o]

Roman shook his head. “I’d rather she not know at all.”

[o]And if at any point in the next two weeks, you feel something comes up that you know you should talk to me about, call me. As I said, I am travelling on six ships, but the yeoman and captain will know where I am at any given time. Ask them and we can work out another call.[o]

~Leah Hart, NP

He nodded, but it was an empty gesture. He was unlikely to actually do that, not just because he didn’t want a psych in the first place, but because travelling across six ships, she was likely to be busy enough.

~ Roman