FORT SILL, Oklahoma (June 21, 2018) -- Editor's Note: This is the continuation of a series discussing Fort Sill's Healthy Army Communities and the Community Strengths and Themes Assessment. This portion addresses social well-being.
At the end of 2017, the Fort Sill Community Health Promotion Council conducted a community strengths and themes assessment (CSTA), which was a postwide survey about health.
The survey looked at a variety of factors that impact individuals' social, spiritual, psychological, and physical well-being.
The social portion of the study focused on six factors that impact the social and environmental health-related concerns. Financial issues were rated as the highest concern at 64.7 percent, work imbalances were 59.7 percent; deployments, 38.7 percent; lack of community, 37.7 percent; career opportunities 37.3 percent; and recreational opportunities, 25.3 percent.
With the data that the CSTA has collected it might seem that social interaction is not the problem, but finding avenues to have a chance to socialize. With financial issues as the highest concern, the survey suggests money contributes to the struggle survey responders have in socializing with their colleagues.
But, Lisa Martinez, post community readiness and resilient integrator, suggested finances don't have to be part of being social. While she agreed social interaction is key to a healthy social life, Martinez suggested further clarification may be needed.
"What is social interaction, anyway?" Martinez asked. "Is it communication through a social medium or is it face-to-face with a person, teammate, battle buddy, or those within your home and work environment?"
When entering a new environment, such as the Army, recruits may feel uneasy or unsure about what they're about to go through, she added.
"When they get to their units they may feel that they are the new kid on the block, but because the Army is forever transitioning that won't always be the case," said Martinez.
The link between social well-being often goes hand in hand with that of the physical. Soldiers between the ages of 18-26 are the strongest adapter to the health and wellness lifestyle, Martinez said.
Although, many are not educated on what actually is a healthy lifestyle. Finances play a big part when it comes to making a healthy decision. For instance, one might choose a cheap TV dinner rather than the more nutritious but possibly costly option of fresh fruit and vegetables.
On Fort Sill, there are programs in place to help social and physical well-being. These programs are USO functions that are often open to everyone, such as the big breakfasts they host, baby shower events, unit organization days, Right Arm at the Patriot Club, and post health and wellness centers.
The community assessment was conducted at the end of 2017, and six months later, the products coming from its findings are beginning to be developed.
Financial training, financial readiness programs, and other financial programs in the Lawton community are available to Soldiers, Martinez said. She added, Soldiers can learn from their leaders when it comes to making good financial choices.
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