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

(snip)

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.”

Regret passed through her eyes. [o]Unfortunately, while practitioner-patient confidentiality absolutely exists and I firmly believe in it, in Starfleet it’s not absolute. Your commanding officer has the right to disclosure about all relevant medical information. This falls under that purview. That doesn’t mean I have to or would share every detail, but she will know that this eval took place, and the gist of the plan going forward. This is why I suggest you make her an ally. You can choose not to, but you can’t avoid her Commander. If you do, you will only make things worse for yourself and your crew.[o]

[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

Did she accept it? Maybe not, but there was only so much she could push add she knew they had reached their limit. [o]Alright.[o] Leah gave him an encouraging smile. [o]Believe it or not, I am more optimistic than I was earlier in our conversation. I know it might not feel like much, but you did take a step forward today and that took courage and I won’t view it as anything less than that. Neither should you.[o]

She looked like she might close the call, but she leaned in and eyed in intently with all the knowing of someone who had dealt wth many a recalcitrant patient. [o]Call me. It’s a part of my job. I didn’t go into nursing or Starfleet expecting routine schedules.[C] Leah winked and then the screen returned to its usual standby mode.

~Leah Hart, NP