Supporting Military Families
April 18, 2016
Military families experience many unique challenges that may be misunderstood by civilian providers. What happens to families after separation from the military? If the service member has changed due to physical injury, traumatic loss, PTSD, depression and anxiety, or traumatic brain injury—costs of war borne also by spouses, children, and parents—the challenges of transition are intensified. To prepare mental health providers to assist veteran families in their transition to the community, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has posted the factsheet After Service: Veteran Families in Transition. Providers will find information about veteran families’ experiences, challenges, and opportunities that accompany their transition to civilian life and, in addition, a list of key questions to ask to new clients, questions not typically included in behavioral health screening.
Resources on the final page include Babies on the Home Front, an app to help connect deployed parents with their little ones . Babies on the Homefront provides military and veteran parents ideas for enhancing everyday moments with their baby or toddler.