Airmen share experiences at first "Storytellers" forum

  • Published
  • By By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Eglin hosted its first "Storytellers" resiliency forum here Sept. 18.
 
Storytellers is an Air Force program that began at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in 2012. It is a live event where Airmen share personal stories in such a way participants forget it's an Air Force event, according to Master Sgt. Lee Hoover, Storytellers co-founder. The forum was created in response to an open question from former Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy on how to create community connections and open dialogue among Airmen.

The Storytellers forum has spread quickly throughout the Air Force with events occurring at numerous stateside bases this year.

Staff Sgt. Nisha Morris, of the 96th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, attended one of the first Storyteller events at Incirlik and said she jumped at the opportunity to host one on Eglin.

"That event changed my perspective on how I viewed all of my Air Force brothers and sisters," said Morris. "Storytellers isn't all fanfare. It's about Airmen, all of them. I wanted to bring that hard impacting experience to Eglin. We wanted people to step out of their bubbles and really look at each other in a new light and for the event to resonate with people and let them know they aren't alone."

At Eglin's first event, NCOs, senior NCOs and civilians spoke from the heart about difficult life issues they've experienced like losing loved ones, deployment tragedies, alcoholism, suicide, family illnesses, depression, anger, and post-traumatic stress.

All of the speakers said they turned to their base support agencies and available counselors in their greatest time of need. They received help from chaplains, mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment, Airmen and family readiness and family counselors among others. They praised the services for showing them how to make sense and move on from the terrible events that occurred in their lives.

"This event is about sharing," said Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Snoddy, the 96th Test Wing command chief and a storyteller at the forum. "The most important take away from these stories is you are not alone when bad things happen. Don't be afraid to seek or provide help, because you just might save a life."

To reach a chaplain, call 882-2111. To speak to mental health, call 883-8373. For Airmen and family readiness, call 882-2893. For more information about Eglin's base support agencies, click here.