MEMO OF THE MONTH.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Monday, August 16,1999

Dear Assignment Editor/Reporter

As you are aware, for weeks the ongoing story of the drought in the greater Washington metropolitan area has understandably dominated local news coverage. While the media have explored many interesting facets surrounding this continuing story; little has been reported about the emotional mess caused by the deepening drought, or things the public can do to ease yet another source of tension in their every day lives.

As recently as this week, a waiter at a restaurant I frequent lamented that he had just bought a new home and was fearful he would lose the hundreds of dollars he had invested new sod. "I'm stressed," he said. I suspect he is not alone. For many people time spent with their beloved lawns, washing their cars on the weekend, or taking that long hot shower at week's end are cherished moments that help stave off the tensions of Life. So, what does one do, when things that were once a tension reliever are now yet another source of frustration? Are there activities or things people can do to reduce drought-related stress? Yes.

"For people under water restrictions either voluntary or mandated, there are things people can do to reduce the stress that this might bring. The general concept is to find a project that is both socially useful, as well as personally gratifying. Something that will help turn a negative into a positive experience. The idea is along the vein of the advice of making lemonade if someone gives you lemons," says Melvyn Haas M.D. associate directs, Medical Affairs, for the federal Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). CMHS, an operating division with the U.S. Department of Health and Human, was tapped by Congress six years ago, to be the lead federal agency in overseeing the quality of mental health services nationwide.

Dr Haas offers a few examples of drought-related stress reduction activities,

* When brushing your teeth, you can tune in and focus more on the actual brushing, and not what was once the den of the continually flowing water in the back ground, which surprising can be a very subtle source of agitation.

* You can commune with nature by finding more water conservation methods for watering your plants. For example, by not exposing those plants to the intense rays of the sun during the day, but instead partially shading them, allows you to save water. At the same time, you are spending time communing with nature and learning how growth occurs.

* Another way to conserve water while simultaneously reducing stress, is to resist the reflexive action of automatically flushing the toilet if you awaken at night and there is only liquid waste. Simply wait and flush in the morning. Believe it or not, flushing itself can add to the stress of awakening in the middke of the night because of the noise element.

Sincerely,
Curtis R. Austin
Director
Office of External Liason
Center for Mental Health Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services