Topics

Master Resilience Training: What It Is & How It Helps Improve Mental Health

June 28, 2022

  Military life can be difficult, not just for the service member but for the entire family. Service Members and their families face unique challenges that put them at risk for various mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, to name a few. The National…...

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Understanding PTSD: 5 Ways to Teach a Military Child About Mental Health

June 24, 2022

  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is arguably one of the most difficult challenges for veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that anywhere from 11-30% of veterans will experience PTSD in their lifetime. While in the throes of understanding PTSD themselves, many military parents with PTSD may also struggle…...

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Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life & The Effects of PTSD

June 17, 2022

  Many people know an active-duty service member or a veteran. They may have heard their stories and know about their struggles, especially regarding the challenges associated with transitioning from military to civilian life. And often, PTSD in veterans is brought to the forefront of conversations about returning to civilian…...

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9 Ways You Can Support Women Veterans

June 9, 2022

  June marks the kickoff to summer break for many families, but did you also know it’s the month to celebrate our female veterans? June 12 is Women Veterans Day. While we take time to honor them on that day specifically, there are many ways we can and should support…...

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6 Tips To Help Your Child Through a PCS Move

May 18, 2022

  Military life is gratifying, but it's not for the faint of heart. New military families have to quickly learn how to get comfortable with the unpredictability of the lifestyle, and a PCS move is one of the most common (and sometimes unpredictable) changes a family can undergo. Most military…...

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Military Teens: 5 Signs of Mental Health Struggles & Resources

April 27, 2022

  Military life can be hard on the entire family unit. But it can be especially difficult for military teens who understand the complexities of moving and really feel the stress of constant changes in cities, schools, and social life. Military teens worry — a lot. While it’s already challenging…...

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4 Ways Armed Services YMCA Helps Operation Hero Kids & Their Parents

April 6, 2022

  Operation Hero is a free military after-school program for kids in grades 2-8, designed to help students cope and adjust to the unique challenges they face. Nicole, a military spouse and teacher for Operation Hero in Ft. Bragg, shares four ways the program helps kids and their parents. A Military After-School Program Provides Stability for Kids…...

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The Effects of Military Life on Child Development and Mental Health

March 4, 2022

  Children who grow up in military families have unique experiences compared to their civilian peers. They move frequently, spend extended periods of time away from their parents during deployment and training periods, and get indirect exposure to war, conflict and violence, often at a young age. So what does…...

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Why Do Military Families Move So Much?

March 4, 2022

  It is fairly common knowledge that military families relocate more often than most other families. But how often do military families move? According to the U.S. Department of Defense, military families move about every two to four years — sometimes even more frequently. What is rarely talked about is…...

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Fostering Resilience: How Operation Hero Makes a Difference

February 16, 2022

  Military life comes with its difficulties, and one major challenge is deployment. Deployments can have a significant impact on kids, highlighting some of the negative effects of growing up in a military family. When a parent is absent due to deployment, children can experience a range of emotions, including…...

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