The military life has many attractive features, but it also poses its set of challenges, including mental health challenges for those in service and their children. The National Military Family Association has found that 28% of military teens scored low on mental well-being, and 37% had harbored thoughts of self-harm. What’s more, many, high-quality mental health aid was unavailable, meaning that they often had to “soldier on” despite battling stress and other issues. If you are a parent and either you or your partner or spouse work in the military, there are steps you can take to improve their mental health and well-being.
The Mental State of Military Children
Kids in the military have a myriad of benefits that many others do not: parents with stable jobs, the chance to travel, a good education, and early intervention programs catered for them. However, they also have their unique challenges, with many having to move every few years and start all over again. Imagine how hard it might be to have to move home, go to a new school, make new friends, and get to know what your local area has to offer, at a time in which you are still trying to work out who you are. As stated by the U.S. Army website, things can get particularly challenging when parents get home from deployment with conditions like PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. Military kids often have more anxiety and depression. When they are distressed, their academic performance may drop and they may be more likely to take drugs and alcohol. In some cases, suicidal thoughts may arise. Some kids may simply become more withdrawn or quiet. This type of behavior should not be ignored as in these cases, kids may be masking their symptoms.
Watching Out for Signs of Stress
At all times, but especially when parents are deployed or when they return from deployment, or when a move is imminent, parents should be vigilant, watching out for symptoms such as appetite changes, loss of interest in activities and people, poor sleep, changes in academic performance, and similar. Moves are stressful times for everyone. Parents have to leave their current social and professional circles and work out tough tasks such as how to move items of furniture, personal possessions, and even vehicles. For instance, military personnel moving their vehicles to their new places of residence need to prepare their vehicles, wash and maintain them, and check shipping regulations. This is just one of the seemingly endless responsibilities that are time-consuming and potentially stressful. As difficult as these tasks can be for parents, they need to undertake frequent checks to ensure their kids are not buckling under the pressure themselves.
Obtaining Professional Help
If parents suspect that children are experiencing stress or anxiety, they should pay a visit to their child’s pediatrician to discuss recent changes. They can also contact Military OneSource, which points members of the military to available resources. If your child is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line by dialing 988. They can also consult the website of Real Warriors, a comprehensive resource for military families that covers everything from how to prepare for deployment to how to access the help families need to solve various problems. SAMHSA also has numerous resources available to address the behavioral health needs of members of the military and their families. It is also a good idea to form part of the Military Kids Connect community, created for kids aged six to 17. The community invites kids to ask questions, discuss stress management, and tell others a little bit about their story. It also encourages them to talk about tough topics and helps them out with information about the places they may be moving to.
Embracing Natural Therapies
In addition to receiving help from trained professionals, children can also benefit from a host of natural stress-busting methods such as breathwork, mindfulness meditation, and time spent in nature. Exercise is another powerful way to lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, and instill a better mood. For many, activities such as yoga and Tai Chi are a particularly powerful approach to battling distress and keeping the mind “in the here and now.”
Research indicates that military kids often have more causes for distress than their non-military counterparts. Moving homes frequently and having parents go to and return from deployment can also affect their mental health. Parents can help their kids by being watchful for signs of stress, seeking professional help, and accessing the wealth of resources created for them and their families.
