Military life is not for the faint of heart. While serving our country is a brave and worthy occupation, it’s a job that comes with risk, upheaval, and uncertainty. From navigating frequent moves, to adjusting to new schools, to the stress of extended deployments, military life can have a tremendous impact on children and teen mental health.
As a military parent, there are several ways you can help your child navigate the difficult moments and life transitions that result from growing up in a military family. Moreover, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, so you can recognize when your child may need support from a mental health professional.
Newport is proud to partner with TriWest Regence and Humana Military (East Region) to bring affordable access to mental healthcare to military service people and their families.
Key Takeaways
- There are more than 1.6 million military children in the US.
- One report notes that 16 percent of military families with at least one child in grades K–12 said they would like their child to receive mental healthcare.
- The constant change of life in the military can undermine a child’s sense of stability and make it difficult to build lasting friendships.
- A structured routine for activities, such as mealtimes with the family, consistent bedtimes, and regular family time, can go a long way in helping children feel grounded during tumultuous times.
What Is Military Family Syndrome?
Growing up in a military family has well documented challenges. The term “military family syndrome” was coined following the Vietnam War to describe the behavioral and psychosocial problems of children of deployed parents, as well as the effects of deployment on the relationship between the child and the parent remaining at home. There are more than 1.6 million military children, or “military brats,” (a term used as a badge of honor) in the US, Each military child faces the prospect of a parent deployment, relocation, or parental divorce. Military members have the highest divorce rate of any career field at roughly 4.8 percent, compared to the national average of 2.5 percent.
A study on the effects of parental military service and deployment on the well-being of children found that children in military families have a much higher risk for negative psychological, social, and behavioral health outcomes than children raised in civilian households. Of early, middle, and late childhood age groups, adolescents in military families showed the highest risk for mental health issues, particularly concerning suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviors.
Additionally, a comprehensive report conducted by Blue Star Families, in collaboration with Syracuse University, revealed that military family quality life is a top concern for 25 percent of active-duty respondents. Major contributors include instability and inconsistency of daily life, including time with children and family, frequency and difficulties of relocating, and time away from family.
Other key findings from the report include:
- 43 percent rated at least one of their children’s mental health as fair, poor, or very poor, while 41 percent indicated their oldest child faced greater challenges
- 23 percent with at least one child enrolled in grades K-12 reported that at least one child was currently receiving mental health care
- 21 percent of families are concerned that a mental health diagnosis could impact their child’s chance for future military service
Military Family Barriers to Behavioral Healthcare
Access to quality mental healthcare is a concern among military families. Nearly half (44 percent) of TRICARE members report difficulty getting mental healthcare treatment for their children. The Blue Start report notes that 16 percent of families with at least one child in grades K-12 said they would like their child to receive mental healthcare, but they face barriers, including:
- Finding an available provider
- Difficulty getting referrals
- Access to childcare for other children during appointments
- Delays to care due to being waitlisted for services with a provider
Why Mental Healthcare Is Important
Underlying mental health issues can significantly impact a child or teen’s ability to thrive in their environment—at home, school, and in their friend groups. Left untreated, mental health conditions can quickly lead to self-destructive coping behaviors, such as drug or substance use. Depression, which impacts 20 percent of teens, is associated with higher rates of self-harm, substance use, and suicidal behaviors.
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Signs of Mental Health Issues in Adolescents
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, mood swings, or extreme highs and lows
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite and eating habits
- Substance use
- Suicidal thoughts
- Social isolation
- Trouble concentrating
- Stomachaches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
- A decline in personal hygiene or appearance
- Poor grades or behavioral issues at school
How to Support a Military Child
The mobile nature of the military lifestyle can uproot families every two to three years, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. This constant change can undermine a child’s sense of stability and make it difficult to build lasting friendships. There are things you can do as a military parent to help your child make these transitions with the support and love they need.
Maintain Consistent Routines
With all the unpredictability that comes with military service, maintaining a sense of normalcy and routine at home is key to helping children feel safe and secure. A structured routine for activities such as mealtimes with the family, consistent bedtimes, and regular family time, can go a long way in helping children feel grounded during tumultuous times.
Prepare Children for Deployment
The prospect of a parent deployment can be overwhelming to a child or teen, especially if the deployment is in dangerous territory. Military OneSource, a military family support resource, offers the following tips for helping teens with an upcoming parent deployment:
- Have a family discussion. Talk openly to your teen about how the deployment may impact the entire family. Discuss any possible changes to their routine and responsibilities. Address any fears and concerns they may have.
- One-on-one time before deployment. Schedule some quality one-on-one time for the deploying parent and teen. During this time, encourage your teen to share their feelings about the challenges ahead.
- Help your teen manage stress. Developing healthy coping skills is essential for teens during times of stress. Suggest ways they can manage their anxiety in positive ways, such as journaling, listening to music, or exercising.
- Remind teens they are not alone. Encourage your teen to participate in family gatherings, military youth programs, and activities at school. Staying busy in productive, positive ways gets their mind off the many changes taking place in their lives.
- Exchange keepsakes. Share pictures, notes, recordings, or other special items that remind you of each other.
Practice Self-Care
While self-care is important for you child during this time, it is also critical for you as a military parent, whether you are the service member or spouse. You know the saying, “you can’t pour from an empty cup?” It’s true! Moving to a new community, extended periods of separation, and all of the uncertainty that comes with a military lifestyle can take a toll on the entire family. Staying strong for your children means pouring into yourself with activities that enhance your well-being. Build friendships with other spouses on base, join activities such as an art or workout class, or simply go for daily walks can keep your mind in a positive space. Practicing self-care is also modeling to your child that prioritizing your own mental health is important.
Provide Reassurance
Whether it’s a deployment, another base transfer and a change of schools, assure your child that together your family will adjust to the new environment. Stay positive and keep them involved throughout the process. Moreover, try to emphasize the exciting parts of change, like learning about new places and meeting new people. This could include researching your new city to discover new restaurants or nearby parks for outdoor family time. You can show them all of the fun new activities available to them on base and in their new community. Building excitement early on can help mitigate some of the stress and anxiety they are likely feeling.
Listen and Give Space
Your child may have many questions or may need some space during this transition, whether it’s starting a new school, or preparing for deployment. Answer their questions as best you can, and be patient with yourself and your children during this time. Allow everyone to express their feelings, and try to give everyone the time they need to adjust to upcoming changes. Help them build healthy coping strategies to deal with their emotions so they don’t resort to self-destructive behaviors to soothe their pain.
Mental Health Treatment for Military Families at Newport
Military families need and deserve access to affordable mental healthcare. Newport is proud to include TRICARE as part of our expansive list of insurance partnerships. Additionally, Newport is responding to growing mental health needs by offering specialized, evidence-based programming for OCD, SUD, and LGBTQ+ for children ages 7–11 and adolescents ages 12–18.
If you are concerned about the impact of military life on your child’s mental health, Newport can help. Your child will benefit from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, licensed therapists, and more, who deliver evidence-based, family-centered mental health treatment.
Our admissions team can guide you through the admissions process, which level of care is most appropriate for your child, and how your TRICARE benefits can help you and your family get the care they need. Please reach out to us for a confidential call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
J Child Fam Stud. 2024 May; 1573–2843.
2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey Comprehensive Report
