This document discusses challenges faced by military families, children, and service members returning from deployment. It notes that while most service members do not have mental health diagnoses, rates of conditions like depression and PTSD are higher than the general population. Children of returning service members may experience behavioral or social changes. Parents face challenges with emotions, parenting, and reintegrating into family life. The document provides resources to support military families.
2. Acknowledgments
MN National Guard & State of MN
Ambit Network, University of Minnesota
Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, Executive Director
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Implementation Sciences International, Inc.
Marion Forgatch, Ph.D.
MN Veterans Medical Center
Melissa Polusney, Ph.D., LP
National Institute on Drug & Alcohol Abuse
4. Mental Health Post Deployment
Most returned soldiers do not meet criteria for mental
health diagnoses
Estimates of MH diagnoses range from 7-15%
Depression & non-PTSD disorders are most common
When PTSD occurs severe implications for functioning
PTSD often? Co-occurs with other problems
Does not incrementally decrease quality of life
Kehle, Reddy, et al., 2010
5. Substance Use & Reintegration after
Combat Deployment
36% screened positive for “risky” levels 3 months
after their return
30% continued to report drinking at risky levels 1
year later
9% fit criteria for a clinical disorder relating to alcohol
(either alcohol abuse or dependence) within the first
year of return
From the Readiness and Resilience in National Guard Soldiers
(RINGS) Study
9. Common Reactions
Coping with loss and transition
Coping with visible and invisible injuries
Feelings of personal blame, guilt, anger, and worry
Changes in routines & daily rhythms
For those not on a base, feeling like an “outsider” or
different
10. What Do We See?
Changes in behavior at home & school
Separation anxiety & confusion
Withdrawal
Anger
Difficulties concentrating
Lower academic performance
Increased risky behaviors
Changes in Social Interactions
Social withdrawal or turning to friends
Increased use of social drinking
12. Self as Person
Emotions
Emotional “shut-down” or restriction
Anger
Guilt
Fear of disappointing family and children
Behaviors: Fight or Flight….or Escape
Reinforced defensive responses from military training
Increased risk for abusive or violent reactions
Sudden outbursts
Withdraw, Reenlist, Drink/get high/shoot up
13. Self as Parent
Tolerance for chaos, change, being needed, &
discipline
How do I respond to my child’s needs and emotions?
How do I discipline?
Can I maintain positive involvement with my child &
their social activities?
14. Resources
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
C.O.R.E. – Case-management, Outreach, and Education
http://MinnesotaVeteran.org
Minnesota Department of Education: Military Family
Resources
http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/StuSuc/MilFam/index.ht
ml
Provides resources to Minnesota educators regarding
how students may be affected by a parent’s military
service
Military Child Education Coalation
http://www.militarychild.org/
Ensures quality educational opportunities for all military
children affected by mobility, family separation, and
transition.
15. Resources
Free on-line tutoring:
http://www.tutor.com/military/how-it-works
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
http://www.BeyondTheYellowRibbon.org
Operation Military Kids Speak Out Retreat
Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp
Camp Gratitude
Basecamp
Operation Purple Camp
“I really enjoyed hanging out with
Minnesota Military Teen Panel everyone that knows how it feels
Military Teen Adventure Camp to be a military kid. It’s easy to
meet people when you have things
in common.”
16. Resources
Operation Military Kids
http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/statePOCHom
e.aspx?state=Minnesota
Hero Packs
Mobile Technology Labs
Ready, Set, Go! (Hidden Heroes) Training
Notas do Editor
“Being a military kid sucks, said a 7th Grade boy from Stillwater. He said, the teachers don’t understand me.”A school resource officer told a story of a teenage boy who kept getting in trouble. The young man had an attitude. Soon teachers labeled him as a problem and asked me to step in. The officer said that he listened and soon found out that the real challenge was that the boy’s dad was on his third military deployment. All of us in this room have had some contact with soldiers and military families. How have you been in contact with our service members? Perhaps…Through images on TV & in the newspapers…or when passing one by in the airport or in the shopping mall…wondering if you should stop and shake their hand, say “thanks”, or just pass on by and let them be? As a parent, spouse, sibling, or friend? As an officer pulling over a drunk-driver or responding to a DV call? As child protection, investigating a report of abuse A first responder called to action in the wake of a suicide As a counselor or social worker meeting with a child who’s parent has been deployed? As a colleague or neighbor trying to lend a hand to the family who’s father or mother has been deployed or just returned home? Whether we know it or not, we have all been in contact with the persons who serve in our armed forces.
Rates of mental health diagnoses depend on how Data based on longitudinal study, Readiness & Resiliency in National Guard Soldiers (RINGS) upon return from deployment in 2006-2007. Participants: 348 National Guard soldiers who completed self-report measures and diagnostic clinical interviews.
A survey of 422 MN National Guard Soldiers deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom on a combat mission from early 2006 to late 2007 assessed alcohol use 3 months after a combat deployment and again a year later. Diagnostic interviews conducted within the first year of return with 355 of these National Guard soldiers found that 9% fit criteria for a clinical disorder relating to alcohol (either alcohol abuse or dependence).
Ask a soldier, a family, they know the countdown All you want to do is get home. But once home, so much has changed.Family-appearance of the home-friendsEmploymentChildrenAt one point or an other, every SM will say, “I wish I were back there. It was easier.” On deployment, life is straight forward. This is a single mission and everyone is focused on the same goal. Feelings that you don’t belong
Talking Points:--Egocentrism….not necessarily a bad thing, but things are taken very personally A 4 year old believes they’ve done something wrong and mommy or daddy left An 9 or 10 year olds believes that dad or mom would rather love and serve their country than love and care for them The 16-year old may feel both respect for his parent’s decision and willingness to work to protect the country, but also burdened by the increased responsibility they must endure at home to help out while mom or dad are awayAll children will worry----”what’s going to happen to me? What’s going to happen to our family if….” - Decreased sense of security and certaintyDepends on DevelopmentDealing with Separation from parent New role of non-deployed parentVisible & invisible injuries of deployed parent Risk for trauma exposure
Hero Packs are given to military kids who have a loved one deployed to thank them for their service and courage. The packs are typically distributed at Family Prep Academies. Packs are only handed out at events and not on an individual basis.The MTL is a lab that travels the state and is available at events for military kids to stay connected to their deployed loved one. The MTL is can be used in a variety of ways, including to create Zoom Albums, SOMK presentations, greeting cards and more. Ready Set Go: Professionals around the state go out to community groups, schools and conferences to help build awareness around the issues that military youth face. At these trainings participants learn about the deployment cycle, how kids are affected by deployment and ways that they can help support military youth.
