Month Of The Military Child: How To Support Youth Mental Health In Military Families
Being part of a military-connected family can be a source of pride for some people. Nonetheless, it may involve unique circumstances and challenges. For this reason, events have been created to raise awareness of military family challenges.
April is the Month of the Military Child, an event observed yearly since 1986. The Month of the Military Child is a time dedicated to recognizing the children of service members across the United States. Kids in military families may face several challenges, including but not limited to the uncertainty associated with moving to different areas, adjusting to new schools, making new friends, and lacking connection with far-away family members.
If you're a parent or caregiver of a service child, you may wonder what can be done to support youth mental health in military families. This Month of the Military Child, it can be vital to spark a conversation on how to find support and advocate for these individuals.
Youth mental health in military-connected families
The Month of the Military Child website highlights various concerns that may impact a military child, including those related to education and behavioral or mental health.
Conversations about mental health can be essential regardless of one's age. Kids with mental health concerns often benefit from having their parents start these conversations to understand what mental health means. While every military-connected family can be different, the following challenges may be beneficial to focus on regarding children's mental health in military families.
Depression
Research shows that adolescents in military families are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and depressive disorders. Resources may help you identify and address symptoms of depression in children of military families, such as the Depression In Youth Parent Guide provided by militarychild.org.
Anxiety
Children may experience feelings of anxiety related to military life and the impact that it can have on their friendships and schooling. In addition, moving often or not being around one's parent can cause anxiety and stress.
Adjustment difficulties
It is said to take one to three months on average for children to adjust to a new school. In some cases, adjustment may cause a decrease in academic performance. A child may also lash out or experience difficulty with authority figures. If they don't lash out, the social aspect of school may be challenging, as can keeping up with extracurricular activities while moving.
A child not in a military family may play basketball on their school team for the entire duration of high school. In contrast, a child in a military family may have to move and adjust to a new team or choose not to experience extracurricular activities due to the possibility or reality of moving repeatedly and frequently.
Difficulty making and maintaining friendships
Mental health encompasses not only emotional and psychological health but also social health. Social connections can be an essential part of life for any person. It isn't uncommon for youth in military families to have difficulty making and maintaining friendships due to frequent moves.
Stressors
Children in military families may live with additional stressors outside of those related to topics like keeping up with school or friendships. These can include but aren't limited to an increase in certain obligations, adjusting to a parent leaving, or difficulty planning for their future.
Substance use challenges
Youth in military families are more likely to experience concerns related to substance use.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.
Other challenges
The above concerns and more may show up in your family. Children and teens might also experience grief, life stressors unrelated to military life, diagnoses like depression, and other challenges. Some factors can increase the risk of particular mental health challenges in youth with military families, such as the length of deployment.
In some cases, parents may believe they are culpable when their child faces mental health challenges. However, mental health challenges can affect anyone, whether your family is military-affiliated or not. Statistics on the CDC website show that one in every six children across the United States has a diagnosed behavioral, developmental, or mental health condition.
Different resources may help you support your child and yourself through mental health challenges impacting your family. Aside from April's Month of the Military Child, Military Family Month is celebrated in November. Many organizations can provide support and assistance as you navigate this area of your life.
How to support youth mental health in military-connected families
Military families may have unique strengths, such as an increased sense of community due to connection with other military families. However, it's not shameful to need support, and the frequently changing lifestyle of many military families can be challenging to cope with. Below are tips for supporting youth mental health in military-connected families.
Discuss mental health with your children
Mental health challenges are not shameful, and research shows that talking about these topics and receiving support can lead to symptom reduction. Whether you, your child, or both of you are experiencing a mental health challenge, you don't have to go through your challenges in silence.
Talking about mental health, even if your child seems happy, can normalize this topic and show your child you're safe to reach out to. In addition, they can develop the language to describe their stress, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms if necessary. It may also help your child treat other children with mental health challenges with empathy and kindness.
Talk about healthy emotional expression
Emotional repression can be an unhealthy means of expressing or coping with difficult emotions. Teaching children healthy coping skills and how to identify and talk about their feelings can begin at any age, including young children and toddlers. Healthy coping skills might include breathing exercises, talking to a parent or friend, or using a feelings wheel that helps a child pinpoint the emotion they're experiencing with images and written words.
Provide stability where you can
Stability can be essential for any child. However, because concerns related to stability and uncertainty can be prevalent in military-connected youth and families, providing familiarity and predictability may be crucial in military-connected families. Familiarity can look like a routine daily schedule or family traditions and practices. You can also verbally reassure your child and remind them that their emotional responses are valid.
Seek support for your child
Mental health support can take various forms, including but not limited to various types of talk therapy (including individual and group therapy) and support groups for kids and teens in military families. Your child's primary care physician may be able to direct you to resources in your area.
Find support as you move
Adults in military-connected families can also experience mental health challenges, whether they are related to military life or another experience. As a parent in a military-connected family, you may have specific worries. For example, you may not know how to tell a child that the family is moving again or that one of their parents is going away for a while. Conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression may affect you or your children.
Support groups can also be an option for military families. However, some may worry about reaching out to an in-person therapist or group due to the chance of moving or having to reestablish care elsewhere. In these cases, an online platform like BetterHelp may be beneficial. Children can also attend online therapy through a platform like TeenCounseling for those aged 13 to 19.
Having a family in the military can pose unique challenges that may be difficult to work through on your own. It can be vital to have someone to talk to about your struggles. With online therapy, you can get mental health support anytime, anywhere. In addition, research backs up the effectiveness of this type of support.
One study found that military and veteran populations experienced mental health benefits from an online cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention. Participants demonstrated higher sleep quality and improvements in depression and PTSD symptoms.
Takeaway
If you're struggling to make sense of your reality, speaking with a licensed counselor with experience in military matters may be helpful. They can work with you through each deployment, move, injury, or holiday that you miss your loved one and equip you with tools. Reach out to a provider online or in your area to get started.
What is the theme of Month of the Military Child 2023?
The Department of Defense has announced the theme of Month of the Military Child 2023 to be “Taking Care Of Our Military Children.” This month and theme seeks to support military-connected children with their needs; providing resources to military parents that can help them to create support networks for their family’s needs.
The Month of the Military Child as a whole is designed to honor military children and their unique experiences and challenges faced, validating and supporting them every step of the way.
This sentiment has since spread to children’s programming and resources, normalizing the experiences that can come from a military lifestyle. After all—military children may face a unique set of experiences and difficulties.
An example of this can be found in characters on mainstream children’s shows (such as Sesame Street). Certain episodes featured special greetings and segments that validated these experiences in honor of Military Child Month. For example: A 2021 Sesame Street episode featured fan-favorite character Rosita offering a special greeting to military children around the world.
What is the symbol of the Month of the Military Child?
Many have identified the dandelion as the official symbol of the Month of the Military Child. This is due to the dandelion’s hardiness and ability to grow anywhere in the world; possibly symbolizing the challenges impacting military children as they travel with their parents who serve. For example—children may find themselves frequently changing schools, boys and girls’ clubs or summer camps due to travel needs necessitated by the defense department. These may require families to travel as military members serve and move around the world.
What is the quote from the Month of the Military Child?
There is no universally accepted quote that represents the Month of the Military Child. Rather, parents and children across military serving organizations might resonate with quotes celebrating military children and their needs. Such quotes can include themes of resiliency, bravery and adaptability; all of which are qualities that military members might value.
What does purple mean in military?
Purple in the military generally signifies bravery. This can be seen with the Purple Heart distinction; which can be given when a defense department member has suffered greatly for the purpose of defending the national and local government entity—as well as its citizens.
What are the colors for Military Child Month?
Purple is generally the color associated with Military Child Month, which actively focuses on celebrating military children of the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. National Guard, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard.
What color represents military kids?
Purple is the most common color that is used to symbolize the challenges and experiences of military children around the world.
What is the official flower of the military child?
The dandelion is generally considered to be the official flower of the military child; honoring children with parents who serve in all of the branches (including the Air Force and the National Guard).
What is the military child's motto?
While there is no universal motto that military children maintain, they may resonate with this common adage: “Children of the world, blown to all corners of the world, we bloom anywhere!” This motto is reinforced with the symbolism of the dandelion, which many recognize as the official flower of the military child.
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