DCoE Blog

• Prepare Your Family for the Holidays Apart

  Posted by U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Wanda Finch, Deployment Health Clinical Center licensed independent clinical social worker on November 21, 2012

  

  U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Benjamin Crossley

  November is Military Family Month, a month that celebrates military families’ service to our country and extraordinary sacrifices made on the home front. This month also coincides with holiday traditions that many of us will share with our loved ones as we prepare to bring in the New Year. While these days may be festive and celebratory as service members return home, they may also be stressful for families facing separation.

  Separation is accompanied by change and the potential for disruptions to familiar routines. However, you can minimize the impact of disruptions by keeping up communication and family connections, learning coping skills and being flexible. All of these things are important in order for your family to foster resilience before, during and after a separation. If you’re missing a loved one this holiday season, here’s some advice that may be helpful:

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  Categories: Resilience , Stress , Families , Resources , Military Children , Deployments   |   Comments (0)

• How to Talk to Your Children After Deployment

  Posted by Corina Notyce , DCoE Strategic Communications on October 17, 2012

  

  Lt. Cmdr. Victor Glover is greeted by his daughters at the Naval Air Facility Atsugi airfield during a homecoming celebration. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Justin Smelley)

  This blog post was written by Dr. Pam Murphy, a child psychologist at the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), a Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury center.

  Before the deployment you talked with your kids about what they thought or were worried about regarding the upcoming deployment. During the deployment you had a plan and made a real effort to stay in touch with your family. Now you’re home and you can relax, right? Actually, kids often say the time after their parent returns home is the toughest part of a deployment for them. It’s because of all the changes.

  Think about the concept of change from a child’s point of view. They had things figured out during your absence. They had to. You wanted them to adjust to your absence because you wanted them to continue to grow and thrive while you were gone. Absolutely, your kids are relieved and happy to have you home, but now they have to adjust again.

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  Categories: Families , Veterans , Reintegration , Military Children , Deployments   |   Comments (3)

• Mobile Devices Bring Sesame Street’s Message of Resilience to Military Families

  Posted by Lynn Chwatsky on October 4, 2012

  

  Photo courtesy of Sesame Workshop

  Lynn Chwatsky has been overseeing the Sesame Workshop’s initiatives with military families since 2006.

  When we think about the challenges of military life, we sometimes forget the transitions the youngest members of our military families go through. Our service members’ young children are faced with a number of uniquely difficult circumstances: repeated relocation, the deployment of a parent, homecomings, injuries, even the death of a parent – to name a few. For years, Sesame Workshop has been providing resources that help both military parents and their children stay resilient during those trying transitions. Now, those bilingual (English and Spanish) resources are available on our new, free military families mobile application.

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  Categories: Technology , Resilience , Community Support , Families , Resources , Military Children , Deployments   |   Comments (1)

• Military Kid Tackles PTSD for School Project

  Posted by Robyn Mincher , DCoE Strategic Communications on August 29, 2012

  	A Backpack Journalist Hannah Rauhut poses with retired Sgt. Maj. Sam Rhodes, founder of Wounded Warrior Horsemanship program. (Courtesy photo)

  Military kid Hannah Rauhut was given an assignment: create a multimedia presentation about a topic that was important to her. While some 13-year-old students might use the opportunity to discuss anything on their minds (my own “groundbreaking” middle school presentation addressed what brand of chocolate chips make for a tastier cookie), Rauhut had a more passionate approach — educate her peers on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

  Her presentation included facts, a video she made of the local Wounded Warrior Horsemanship program and a live interview with founder retired Sgt. Maj. Sam Rhodes on coping with PTSD. Not only did Rauhut get a perfect score and gratitude from her enlightened classmates, she’s now raising awareness nationwide as a journalist for A Backpack Journalist, a program that teaches military youth about resilience through creative expression. I spoke with Rauhut about the significance of raising awareness of PTSD, especially for youth.

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  Categories: Resilience , PTSD , Community Support , Families , Resources , Psychological Health , Military Children   |   Comments (0)

• Coping Tips for Families Faced with Summertime Moves

  Posted by Robyn Mincher , DCoE Strategic Communications on June 21, 2012

  	U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Desiree N. Palacios

  While families gear up for trips to the beach, picnics or outdoor fun this summer, some military families face an even bigger adventure — relocating to a new community. Permanent change of station (PCS) transitions from one duty station to another, many of which happen during summer, are a part of military life. Yet saying goodbye to friends and support networks, making new friends or fitting in at a new school are experiences that can be stressful on a military family, particularly children.

  We asked Cmdr. Wanda Finch, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury family and community program manager, for tips on how families can communicate and prepare for a move, stay resilient and adjust successfully.

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  Categories: Resilience , Stress , Families , Resources , Psychological Health , Military Children   |   Comments (8)

• ‘Heroes of Hope’: Learn More About Children’s Mental Health

  Posted by Robyn Mincher , DCoE Strategic Communications on May 9, 2012

  	Kindergartners from the Child Development Center in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., wave flags during a parade to celebrate the Army’s 234th birthday. (U.S. Army photo by Prudence Siebert)

  The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) is paying tribute to children with their annual National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day May 9. Themed “Heroes of Hope,” the day promotes support and progress of children’s mental health, and includes an exhibit featuring artwork from students and an evening program at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The event also complements activities occurring across the country to support the mental health needs of children.

  Since 1994, SAMSHA’s “Caring for Every Child’s Mental Health” effort has increased public awareness around children’s mental health issues. And this year’s theme not only recognizes children and youth who have demonstrated resilience after traumatic events, but also heroes of hope — caring adults who helped them enhance their resilience. In support of children’s mental health, SAMSHA is highlighting resources, tools and activities to help children cope and gain resilience as they navigate through challenges.

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  Categories: Resilience , Families , Resources , Psychological Health , Military Children   |   Comments (3)