Families of military personnel may experience unique behavioral health issues due to stressors such as deployment, relocation, trauma, and combat exposure during service, which can lead to mental and physical trauma. The stressors and experiences of military life and service can affect families in areas such as pre- and post-service adaptation, financial management, parenting, and coping with prolonged separation in life-and-death circumstances.
Typical problems of military and veteran families include:
– frequent traveling;
– mobilization;
– financial difficulties;
– mental health condition.
A strong support system is needed to overcome the challenges that are typical for military and veteran families. One of the most important components of this support system is effective communication. Open and honest communication allows family members to express their feelings, share experiences and find solutions to problems together. Without sincere communication, it can be difficult for military families to cope with the stress of deployment, relocation and other challenges that arise in military life.
The conditions for effective family communication are as follows:
- Communication: regular phone calls, video chats, messenger searches.
- Striving for a relationship that can guarantee support for all family members of a military or veteran under any external conditions;
- Search for social and psychological support in the military community;
- Seeking support outside of the military community, such as from a therapist or support group, which can provide a new perspective and additional resources;
- Family therapy (if needed) to help family members improve communication, develop coping strategies, and strengthen relationships. It can also provide a safe space for family members to express their feelings and resolve conflicts.
Mobilization is undoubtedly a difficult experience for military families. The separation and uncertainty can be stressful for family members, especially when it comes to maintaining strong ties. However, there are ways to maintain strong family relationships:
- Remember that one of the most important things to maintain is communication. This means that both the soldier and his family members should make efforts to stay in touch;
- Create a daily routine. Creating a daily routine will help family members to feel more comfortable with the soldier’s absence. The daily schedule should include setting regular times for communication, planning family activities, and establishing routines;
- Enlist the support of other families of mobilized soldiers;
- Keep busy, which can include a new hobby, volunteering, or focusing on work or school. Keeping busy will provide a sense of purpose and go some way to distracting from the stress of separation and uncertainty;
- Planning for the future, which can include planning a vacation or setting goals for the future. Planning for the future will promote a sense of optimism and help family members focus on the positive aspects of their lives together.
Moving to new environments can be both exciting and challenging, especially for military families who often have to relocate. The process of adapting to a new environment can be tiring and stressful, but with the right strategies in place, the transition can go smoothly:
- Explore the new environment. Before moving, it is important to thoroughly research your new environment. This research should include information about the culture, climate, housing, schools, healthcare, labor market, and transportation. This information will help the military family prepare for the new environment and make informed decisions;
- Communicating with local communities. Military personnel can join military support groups, spouses’ clubs, and other organizations that address the needs of military families. Reaching out to local communities can help you find employment opportunities, housing options, and more;
- Staying organized. It is important to stay organized when moving to a new environment. It’s best to keep track of important documents such as your lease, utility bills, and school records. Being organized will help you avoid unnecessary stress and save time. In addition, it is a good idea to create a moving checklist that lists all the tasks that need to be completed before, during, and after the move;
- Balancing professional life with private goals.
Trauma and loss are inevitable parts of life, but are especially common in the lives of military families. These experiences can cause serious emotional distress that can be difficult to cope with. Building resilience will help individuals and families cope better and become stronger:
- Seek support from others. This can be family members, friends, or mental health professionals. Talking to others about your experiences will reduce feelings of isolation. Self-help groups for people in similar situations can be helpful;
- Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness exercises, meditation, breathing exercises can help calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety or stress;
- Take care of yourself. Exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep contribute to better physical and emotional health;
- Search for meaning. Finding meaning in difficult situations is a powerful tool for building resilience. Finding meaning can include reflecting on lessons learned from traumatic experiences, helping others who have experienced similar challenges, or finding ways to honor the memory of a loved one who has passed away;
- Build children’s resilience, which may include helping them understand and process their emotions, making them feel safe and secure, and helping them develop coping strategies.
While there are many strategies for building resilience, it is important to find what works best for each individual or family. Finding the right combination of strategies can take time, but with patience and perseverance, it is possible to emerge from trauma and loss with a greater sense of strength and resilience.
The Association of Resource Psychology and Psychotherapy supports military personnel, veterans and their families by organizing psychological assistance and support.