Resources for U.S. Military Families
The Child Mind Institute's online resources for U.S. military families have been made possible through the generous support of The Grieve Family Stress and Resilience Fund. The Grieve Family Stress and Resilience Fund was established to honor the memory of Florence "Flo" Brogan Grieve and help bring compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to children of parents who are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces.
The Child Mind Institute is committed to supporting U.S. military families. In addition to providing clinical interventions we offer public education and advice on issues of interest to military families. The information collected here aims to help military parents respond effectively to their children throughout the family's service in our armed forces and beyond.
Mental Health Resources for Military Families
Dr. Jamie Howard discusses how the Child Mind Institute is trying to help military families navigate the mental health care system. WATCH VIDEO
Deployment comes with many transitions and adjustments for military children and families, including preparation before a parent deploys, coping with the absence of a parent during deployment, and welcoming a parent back home. These transitions can be difficult for children and families to navigate. Zero to Three® provides resources on the stages of deployment for babies and toddlers and their parents, while Sesame Street Workshop provides resources for young children, ages 3-5, and their parents. Additional resources can be found below:
Pre-Deployment
- Preparing and Managing—National Military Family Association
- Preparing Children for Deployment—Real Warriors
Deployment
How Military Deployment Can Impact Families
The stress of overseas military deployment can affect not only service members but entire families as well. Some families can have a tough time adjusting even after they are reunited. WATCH VIDEO
Tips for Helping Military Children Cope Healthily With a Parent's Deployment
Children can thrive even when one parent is away for extended periods. One tip: keep lines of communication open. WATCH VIDEO
Reunification and Reintegration
How to Foster Resilience
A community of caring adults—and peers, too—can be critical in helping a child recover from a traumatic experience. READ MORE
Talking to Kids about Traumatic Experiences
Be calm and clear, and don’t tell them more than they need to hear. Children absorb your emotions along with your words. READ MORE
Coping and Recovery
Five Signs of Trauma in Children
Evidence that a child might not be recovering in a healthy way in the weeks and months after a disturbing event. READ MORE
A Look at Acute Stress Disorder and PTSD
We look at two related disorders and why families should be on the lookout for some time to come. READ MORE
Helping Children Deal with Grief
You can't protect your kids from the pain of loss, but you can help them recover in a healthy way, and build coping skills for the future. READ MORE
Resources for Children
- Military Families Near and Far—Sesame Street
- Military Kids Connect
- Military Youth On the Move
- MilKidz Club—Blue Star Families
General Resources
- Caring for Kids—National Military Family Association
- Building Resiliency in Parents and Children—FOCUS Project
- Helping Your Military Teenager Manage Stress—Military OneSource
- Talking with Children about Violence and War—Military OneSource
- Military HomeFront
- Family: Real Warriors
- Afterdeployment.org
