October 28, 2383, Starfleet Medical Academy

Posted on 28 Oct 2024 @ 7:33pm by Lieutenant JG Delainey Carlisle

382 words; about a 2 minute read

**Starfleet Medical Academy, Counseling Department Lecture Hall**

Delainey Carlisle paced before her class, eyes bright with focus. “One of the most complex situations a counselor might face,” she began, “is the onset of shared, en masse hallucinations among crew members. While Starfleet’s environment has its own unique stressors, when entire teams begin experiencing similar hallucinatory events, we need to pay very close attention.”

She paused, assessing the attentive faces of her students, then tapped a control to bring up a holo-display of case notes. “These cases may not always have a clear origin, but many involve underlying environmental factors. For example, proximity to unknown energy fields or uncharted space-time anomalies can affect neurochemistry, resulting in mass experiences that, although hallucinatory, feel very real.”

The room was silent. “Our first priority as counselors is to differentiate these shared experiences from isolated psychoses. When many are affected in a similar way, individual treatment may be ineffective. Instead, we focus on gathering information, helping the crew recall details without judgment, and assessing patterns. Even small consistencies—colors, sounds, recurring people—can reveal invaluable insights.”

Delainey noticed a hand raised in the back. “Yes, Ensign Vargas?”

“Counselor, if the experiences become overwhelming or even harmful, how should we proceed?”

“Excellent question.” She stepped closer to emphasize her response. “This is where grounding techniques come in. Encouraging the crew to re-anchor themselves in reality can stabilize their perception, even if only temporarily. Techniques like controlled breathing, visual orientation within the ship, and focusing on physical sensations are invaluable. At times, we may need to introduce a team approach to these techniques, where small groups ground each other.”

She glanced at her chrono. “Now, when it comes to treatment, we must remember that reassurance is paramount. Crew members need to know they aren’t ‘going crazy.’ Framing the experience as an anomaly rather than a personal failure of mental health is crucial. At the same time, report any findings to your commanding officer; they may be essential for future investigation.”

Delainey smiled as the class sat, considering her words. “As counselors, our role is more than assessment; it’s to help our crew find clarity in confusion and trust in each other. In the vast unknowns we face, we must be an anchor—and sometimes, a light.”

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