Navy Opens 24/7 Chaplain Hotline for Reserve Sailors

The Navy Reserve has announced that it is launching a 24/7 chaplain hotline starting April 1.

Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (CNRFC) is starting the around-the-clock service to support Reserve Force personnel and their families during emergency deployments.

The CNRFC 24/7 chaplain line is available at (757) 322-5650 for all Navy Reserve sailors, as well as their families.

"There are a lot of Reserve Sailors out there who are experiencing stress," said CNRFC Command Chaplain Capt. Brian J. Stamm. "We see this as a healthy outlet. Some individuals may not be willing to talk to somebody about some concerns, particularly concerns about mental health issues, if they thought the conversation was not 100% confidential. This provides a safety valve."

Since resources are limited, the CNRFC is requesting that only those in the Navy Reserve and their families use the service. Active-duty Navy and civilian personnel are encouraged to use their regular, locally available chaplain resources

The hotline will provide counseling and spiritual services, as well as offer prayer and advice to callers. A major service it offers is a sympathetic ear for sailors and families to discuss their problems and fears, too often in today's society, people are met with disdain when they seek help on social media or other means. The ability to have a trained adviser who can relate to the specific problems faced by individuals or families of those recalled to active duty, and suggest workable solutions, is an immensely valuable asset in times of uncertainty, it added.

"In any crisis, making sure you have someone to reach out and talk to is a way of reassuring hope," Stamm said. "When you start to lose hope in a situation, you very easily lose perspective. That's one thing we hope to do by providing a duty chaplain as someone you can call."

He offered another bit of advice to the faithful: "Wash your hands and pray."

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