Search Results
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Military REACH Publications
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Military Branch of Service
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Military Affiliation
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Award Winning Publications
1.Posttraumatic growth among military veterans
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2.A systems thinking approach to formulating the problem of military sexual trauma among Black female veterans
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3.Veterans and media: The effects of news exposure on thoughts, attitudes, and support of military veterans
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4.Veteran Evolution Therapy
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5.The prevention of suicide in older military veterans
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6.Military veterans’ transition to civilian employment and adjustment to organizational culture
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7.Clinical health psychology in military and veteran settings: Innovations for the future
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8.Psychosocial factors and military-to-civilian transition challenges: A dyadic analysis of Veterans and their spouses
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9.Exploring veteran cultural competency in Canadian health care services
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10.Between order and execution: A phenomenological approach to the role of relationships in military culture
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11.Veterans, military culture, and the therapeutic alliance
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12.Exploring the library experiences of military dependents
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13.Better vetrepreneurship: Improving entrepreneurial outcomes for U.S. military veterans
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14.The effects of the post traumatic stress disorder on veterans and military families
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15.Promoting success of military veteran nursing students through creating connection and community
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16.Military culture and post-military transitioning among veterans: A qualitative analysis
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17.Supporting a lifetime of fitness for the military veteran athlete: A narrative review
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18.Stories of transition: Narrative of US veterans' military to civilian transition
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19.LGB female veterans’ experience of military service during the “gay ban”: A qualitative study
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20.Suicides in the military: The post-modern combat veteran and the Hemingway Effect
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Research summaries convey terminology used by the scientists who authored the original research article; some terminology may not align with the federal government's mandated language for certain constructs.
A HIDDEN CRISIS: WOMEN'S POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH
(334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu HOME ABOUT MILITARY REACH LIBRARY UPDATES RESOURCES SEARCH 12 DEC 2023 A HIDDEN CRISIS: WOMEN'S POSTPARTUM MENTAL HEALTH By Haley Sherman & Sheila SjolsethEditors Emily Hanson Although many people might consider sleep deprivation and changing dirty diapers to be the greatest struggles during the first year of having a baby, statistics show that women's postpartum mental health is of greatest concern. In fact, in the first year after a baby is born, "suicide is one of the top five leading causes of maternal death in the United States, accounting for approximately 20% of all maternal deaths" (Pratt et al., 2023, p. 1-2). This statistic does not account for all the mental and physical challenges that arise during pregnancy and before birth. Other perinatal (i.e., the time period before and immediately after childbirth) and postnatal (i.e., a year after the birth otherwise known as 'postpartum') mental health disorders, including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis (Nguyen et al., 2023; Pratt et al., 2023), are rampant - affecting approximately 1 in 7 mothers in the United States (Nguyen et al., 2023). In addition to this severity and the serious nature of perinatal/postpartum mental health concerns, women are not often "treated to remission" meaning that treatment did not last long enough to fully address the mental health concern (Nguyen et al., 2023, p. 78). Further, these statistics may not capture the full extent of postpartum mental health challenges, as many women may have undiagnosed perinatal and postpartum disorders. While the aforementioned statistics are at the national level, mental health challenges among postpartum military women are even more prevalent. Military mothers (i.e., active-duty, dependents, reservists, and retirees) experience mental health conditions almost 3 times more often than civilian mothers (United States Government Accountability Office, 2022; Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 2023). Statistics on pregnant women from 2017-2019 suggest that approximately 36% of TRICARE active-duty Service members and their dependents received a perinatal (i.e., prenatal and postnatal) mental health diagnosis (United States Government Accountability Office, 2022). Receiving a postpartum depression (PPD) diagnosis increased drastically from 2001 to 2018 such that in 2001 for every 1,000 Servicewomen, 1.96 were diagnosed with PPD whereas in 2018 29.95 Servicewomen were diagnosed with PPD (Nicholson et al., 2020). Additionally, other research has found that although some Veteran mothers experience elevated symptoms of postnatal mental health disorders such as depressive disorder, PTSD, or pregnancy-related anxiety (Goger et al., 2022), they do not meet the established threshold to receive an official diagnosis, potentially limiting their access to resources and treatments needed to thrive during their postnatal period. Further, research suggests that compounding military-specific stressors such as combat deployment experiences, lack of access to maternity care through the Office of Veterans Affairs (VA), stigma around accessing mental health services, and the prevalence of military sexual assault may exacerbate perinatal and postpartum mental health challenges for military-connected women (Nguyen et al., 2023). Although the reality of the hidden crisis of women's perinatal and postpartum health is alarming, it is time to start bringing concerns about postpartum mental health to light, and so, we invite you to join us in a call to action. Call To Action One of the first steps in creating change is by spreading awareness that a crisis exists – we must talk about it! In addition to spreading awareness by talking about maternal mental health challenges, we need to: Normalize that some changes in mood will occur during postpartum, but that major mental health challenges are abnormal and may need to be professionally addressed. Stress the importance of new mothers asking for help, especially helping them understand what mental health symptoms or experiences may require professional support (see the WIC Works Resource System: Resources website as a place to start). Share resources with parents (i.e., both the mother and her partner) to support their parenting journey. Ideas to Take Action All efforts that promote awareness of the maternal health crisis, no matter what size, are needed. Share this article with a friend to start a conversation. Learn how to talk to a new mother experiencing depression and listen to military moms share their birth stories to better understand their experiences. When talking with others about the mental health needs of postpartum women, emphasize the severity of the need and how rates of postpartum difficulties are increasing. Advocate for increased support for military families at your place of employment and in your community with this key fact sheet on Military Maternal Health. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senator and ask for more support for military mothers like increasing paid leave for military parents and to support bills like the Federal Moms Matter Act. Find your U.S. Representative Find your U.S. Senator Support and Resources for Postpartum Servicewomen and Military Families Thankfully there are supports and resources available to help Servicewomen and their families if postpartum difficulties arise (Herrick & Chai, 2023), but we need to do our part to make sure these resources get into the hands of those who need them the most. Postpartum Support International: Help for Military Families The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline can help. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). This hotline is for mothers as well as healthcare providers and those calling on behalf of someone. Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255), PRESS 1. To chat, use their Crisis Chat. To text, send a text to 838255. Potential Signs of Postpartum Depression Depression in Pregnant Service Members: Three Things Providers Can Do to Help Postpartum depression and anxiety: How to start the conversation USDA Maternal Mental Health Resources NIH Moms' Mental Health Matters USDA Maternal Depression: Everyone can play a role to Help Families Thrive RECENT STORIES Related Stories in References Goger, P., Szpunar, M. J., Baca, S. A., Garstein, M. A., & Lang, A. J. (2022). Predictors of early postpartum maternal functioning among women veterans. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 26, 149-155 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-012-03241-0 Herrick, M. S. R., & Chai, W. (2023). Incidence of postpartum depression decreases after initial expansion of military maternity leave. Military Medicine. Article usad354. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad354 Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance. (2023, May 17). Military Mothers Experience Maternal Mental Health Conditions Almost 3 Times More than Civilians. MMHLA Takes Steps to Solve this Issue. Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance: MMHLA. https://www.mmhla.org/articles/military-mothers-experience-maternal-mental-health-conditions-almost-3-times-more-than-civilians-mmhla-takes-steps-to-solve-this-issue Nguyen, M. H. (Theresa), Semino-Asaro, S., Reminick, A. M., Rukaj, A. T., & Connelly, C. D. (2023). Barriers to and facilitators of military spouses' recovery from perinatal mental health disorders: A qualitative study. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2022-0067 Nicholson, J. H., Moore, B. A., Dondanville, K., Wheeler, B., & DeVoe, E. R. (2020). Examining the rates of postpartum depression in active duty US military servicewomen. Journal of Women's Health, 29(12), 1530-1539. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2019.8172 Pratt, Alessandra A., Anne G. Sadler, Emily B. K. Thomas, Craig H. Syrop, Ginny L. Ryan, and Michelle A. Mengeling. “Incidence and Risk Factors for Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders among Women Veterans.” General Hospital Psychiatry 84 (2023): 112–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.06.013 United States Government Accountability Office. (2022). Defense health care: Prevalence of and efforts to screen and treat mental health conditions in prenatal and postpartum TRICARE beneficiaries (Report to Congressional Committees GAO-22-105136; pp. 1–54). United States Government Accountability Office. https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-105136.pdf MOBILIZING RESEARCH, PROMOTING FAMILY READINESS. Our Partners Auburn University University of Georgia Department of Defense US Department of Agriculture 203 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 Military REACH Department of Human Development and Family Sciences (334) 844-3299 MilitaryREACH@auburn.edu Contact Us Website Feedback Stay Connected with Military REACH These materials were developed as a result of a partnership funded by the Department of Defense (DoD) between the DoD's Office of Military Community and Family Policy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) through a grant/cooperative agreement with Auburn University. USDA/NIFA Award No. 2021-48710-35671. Last Update: 02/23/2022 2017 - 2024 All Right Reserved - Military REACHPrivacy Statement| Accessibility Plan This website uses cookies to improve the browsing experience of our users. Please review Auburn University's Privacy Statement for more information. Accept & Close
A SALUTE TO OUR WOMEN SERVICE MEMBERS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Women have supported the U.S. Military since our country was founded with the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), although they weren't formally recognized as Service members until 1948. Over time, women’s roles to serve our country have evolved over time, but their capability has never wavered. In this piece, we will explore the roles of women throughout our military history related to varying policies, their contributions to our country, and discuss recent research findings about women Service members. During the Revolutionary War, women found unique ways to aid in the war effort, such as mending clothing, tending to wounds, foraging for food, cooking, cleaning both laundry and cannons, and traveling alongside different militias. In addition, some women disguised themselves as men to fight on the front lines (DeSimone, 2022). Similarly, while women were not allowed to enlist in the Civil War (1861-1865), approximately 1,000 women across the Union and Confederate armies fought while disguised as men (DeSimone, 2022). One of these revolutionary women, Margaret Corbin, was the first woman to receive a military pension (Michals, 2015). In fact, throughout the Civil War, a further 20,000 women served in other ways (e.g., growing crops, sewing, laundry, collecting donations, running fundraising campaigns). But their greatest contribution was serving as nurses for the Union Army. One such volunteer, Clara Barton, went on to found the Red Cross, an influential relief organization to this day (American Red Cross, 2023). During the 20th century, women experienced a shift in the recognition of and allowance for their military service. 1901 saw the start of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, with a total employment of 403 nurses; by 1918, that number had grown to 3,000. At the same time, a shortage of men available for clerical “yeoman” duties, such as operating telephones and radios and acting as translators, led the Navy to recruit women for these jobs. The first “yeomanettes” served the Navy between 1917 and 1918 (during WWI [1914–1918]; DeSimone, 2022). By WWII (1939–1945), the military enlisted women across all branches. The Army had the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and the Army’s Women Airforce Service Pilots. The Navy had Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. The Marine Corps had the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. And the Coast Guard’s Women’s Reserve was called Semper Paratus (“Always Ready”). This was a huge victory for women during this time. Throughout WWII, some 350,000 women served the United States in non-combat roles. These roles were not without risk, though: 432 women gave their lives during the war, and a further 88 were taken as prisoners of war (DeSimone, 2022). It wasn’t until 1948 that President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act into law, allowing women to serve as full, permanent Service members across the entire military. (The same year, President Truman also issued an executive order integrating the Armed Forces; in addition to desegregating the military, this order also allowed Black women to serve in all branches.) While President Truman’s order was an important step for women, it was still not a complete victory for equal opportunity; women were allowed to comprise only 2% of each branch, and there were limitations on how many women could become officers. Shortly after these acts and orders became law, U.S. involvement in the Korean War (1950–1953) saw 120,000 women serve in two types of positions: (1) those similar to the positions they served in in the past or (2) in active-duty, non-combat positions, such as military police officers and engineers. The U.S.’ involvement in the Vietnam War (1955–1975) resulted in nearly 11,000 women stationed in Vietnam, 90% of whom were nurses in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It was during this war that President Lyndon B. Johnson allowed women to be promoted to general and flag ranks, and, by 1972, women were able to command units. And the following year, the Pentagon announced that women could remain in the military even if they were pregnant (DeSimone, 2022). Following the Korean and Vietnam Wars, women continued to pave their way in the U.S. Armed Forces, such that during the Gulf War (1990-1991), over 40,000 women deployed to combat zones, although they were still unable to serve in direct combat. Then, in 1994, President Bill Clinton rescinded the “Risk Rule,” which restricted women from serving in roles that would expose them to risks associated with direct combat (e.g., hostile fire, capture) (DeSimone, 2022). This meant that women could now serve in thousands of new positions, even those that could expose them to these risks (e.g., bomber pilot, fighter pilots) (McGrath, 2001). From the late 20th century to today, there has been a lot of progress for women in the United States Armed Forces, as well as a lot of firsts. The following is just a partial list: In 1975, Commander Paige Blok became the first woman Navy fighter pilot (Eckstein, 2019). Army Sargent Leigh Ann Hester was the first woman Soldier to be awarded the Silver Star, for bravery during a 2005 enemy ambush on her supply convoy in Iraq (DeSimone, 2022). In 2008, General Ann Dunwoody became the first woman four-star general, which happened to be for the Army (Lopez, 2012). And in 2013, Chief Karen Voorhees was the first woman Aviation Survival Technician to become Chief of the Coast Guard history (Booker, 2021). In addition to these noteworthy firsts, 2013 was also the year that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the end of the ban on women in combat and that women Service members would be allowed to serve in direct ground combat roles. These changes took effect in 2015; women became eligible for thousands of military jobs as a result. Since then, over 100 women have graduated from the Army’s ranger school (DeSimone, 2022) and 8 have participated in the Navy SEAL officer assessment and selection process (Kime, 2022). The history of women in the U.S. Armed Forces speaks for itself, but it is worth noting that there are more women in the Forces than ever before. Since 9/11, more than 300,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11, and over 9,000 have earned Combat Action Badges. Today, women make up approximately 16% of our Armed Forces (DeSimone, 2022). The increase in women Service members makes it important to recognize not only their effects on the history of the military but also the unique experiences and challenges that women face while serving our country. One way to better understand these experiences is through research; luckily, Military REACH has an arsenal of it on women Service members. What we see in the research is similar to the history: though women are strong and resilient, they continue to face gendered challenges and have to advocate for themselves. One related and important note is that research is intended to help answer questions or find solutions to problems; therefore, research typically takes a deficits-based approach (Shea, 2021). Please keep this in mind when reading literature on the topic of women Service members. Across the literature, we have seen: Women reporting challenges to relationships, family life, marriage, pregnancy, and parenthood (Erwin, 2022; Leslie & Koblinsky, 2017; Lawrence et al., 2022). Women Service members affected disproportionately by intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and military sexual trauma (Portnoy et al., 2020; Dichter et al., 2018; Breslin et al., 2022; Dardis et al., 2017) Women facing health challenges, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, emotional reactivity, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, chronic health conditions, increased tobacco and alcohol use, and obesity (Lehavot et al, 2012; Portnoy et al., 2020; Leslie & Koblinsky, 2017) Women reporting challenges to career development and navigation within the military (Erwin, 2022). However, even in the face of these challenges, Servicewomen still have positive things to say about their military experience, including their service attributing positive meaning to their lives (Leslie & Koblinsky, 2017). Military REACH in particular has heard first-hand perspectives of women in the military through the interviews we compiled in the Research-In-Action article, “Perspectives of Service among Women Service Members and Veterans.” Clearly, women are a force to be reckoned with, and I am proud to see the progress women have made and the barriers they have overcome to serve our country! Happy Women’s History Month, Servicewomen – and, most importantly, thank you for your service.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
This article is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts about ending their life, you can call 911 or access the resources in the table below. Each resource will connect you with confidential, qualified crisis counseling 24/7. Organization Phone Text Live Web Chat Military/Veteran Crisis Line Call 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 Text 838255 https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat National Suicide Hotline Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/ National Alliance on Mental Health Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) Text NAMI to 741741 - Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741 - September has been named National Suicide Prevention month because suicide is sadly a pervasive issue throughout the country. Below you will find guidance about language, risk factors, and warning signs related to suicide. Next, and more importantly, you will find actions you can take in response to a crisis suicide situation, as well as steps you can take in your everyday life to prevent this growing problem. Use Words Carefully Be thoughtful about the language you use when discussing suicide. A common, problematic term that is used is “commit.” People commit crimes and sins, and these describe actions that are willful acts against society and religious beliefs. If we use the same word to describe the actions of a person who feels they have no viable alternatives, it will only be more difficult for that person to seek help. To learn more about this idea, read the thoughtful article on Dictionary.com, “Why the phrase “commit suicide” isn’t the right way to talk about suicide” or the reader-friendly research summary from the National Elf Service, “Language matters: How should we talk about suicide”, which notes alternate wording you can try out, such as “died by suicide.” Understand the Facts In the United States (according to the CDC and the National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI): ● The rate of deaths by suicide has increased by 31% in the past two decades. ● Suicide is relevant across ages. “It is the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages 10-34 and the 4th leading cause of death for people 35-54.” (NAMI) ● Suicide is relevant across genders. Women attempt suicide more than men. However, men are around four times more likely to die by suicide (75% of people who die by suicide are men). ● 54% of people who die by suicide do not have a diagnosed mental health condition. However, about 90% of these people still show identifiable symptoms prior to their death (see “Recognize Warning Signs” section below). Specifically in the US military (according to the Department of Defense or DOD suicide event report): ● The most common mechanism for death by suicide among Service members is a personally owned firearm (not a military-issued firearm), accounting for 66% of suicide deaths in this population. ● The most common mechanism for suicide attempts among Service members is alcohol or drug use, accounting for 56% of suicide attempts in this population. ● Similar to the larger US population, 51% of Service members who die by suicide did not have a documented mental health diagnosis (e.g., depression). To truly understand facts, remember to stay abreast of research that continues to examine evolving trends in suicide among Service members and effective treatments. Know the Risk Factors “Risk factors are characteristics that make it more likely that someone will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. They can't cause or predict a suicide attempt, but they're important to be aware of.” (NAMI) Some important risk factors, according to Military One Source and NAMI, include: ● Demographic: being a young and unmarried male ● Military: having recently returned from deployment, or having combat-related injuries (mental & physical) ● Career: job loss, lack of advancement, a sense of a loss or honor, or disciplinary actions ● Social: feeling isolated, lacking social support, relationship problems or ending of a significant relationship, grief from loss of a loved one ● Psychological: lack of access to mental health services, ongoing mental health difficulties (even without an official diagnosis), enduring prolonged stressful experiences, impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies, negative attitudes toward asking for help ● Health: lack of healthcare access, ongoing medical issues, heavy drinking, or other substance use problems ● History: previous suicide attempt(s) or family history of suicide, experiences of trauma or abuse Recognize Warning Signs According to Military One Source, NAMI, and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the behaviors, expressions, and emotions below are all possible indicators that a person may be having suicidal thoughts or planning to attempt suicide. ● Behaviors: ○ Isolation: distancing themselves from their loved ones, community, or unit ○ Risk taking: seeking or obtaining means of self-harm (e.g., guns, pills), increasing alcohol or drug use, unusual spending ○ Preparing: drafting a will, giving away possessions, making arrangements for pets ○ Sudden changes in sleep (too little or too much) ● Expression & Emotions: ○ Talking about wanting to die/hurt themselves, having no reason to live or being a burden on others ○ Intense mood swings (e.g., from being more anxious or agitated to being in an extremely good mood) ○ Feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden, experiencing unbearable pain, having intense rage or a desire for revenge Plan How You Will React in a Crisis If you suspect that someone you care about is experiencing ongoing thoughts about suicide (aligning with warning signs above, or your own intuition), here are steps you can take. See Suicide Prevention Lifeline for more info. 1. Ask: Directly inquire with the person if they are thinking about suicide. * You may want to remind them that you are a trustworthy person that cares about them and wants to help and is not here to judge them. Asking this question will not increase the chances they will attempt suicide or “give them any ideas.” It will help you detect how risky the situation is and direct the person to appropriate resources. 2. Be There: Respond in a way that clearly shows your support, whether verbally or physically. Don’t shy away from the topic or shame the person for having these thoughts. Listen to what the person believes will be helpful or help them brainstorm here if they are having difficulty. 3. Help Them Connect: You are valuable as a social support, but chances are that you are not a professional. Direct the person to relevant resources that can help them manage these thoughts long term. Resources such as Real Strength, Project R.E.D. Team (through Hope for the Day), and In Transition may also be particularly relevant, as they are designed for Service members and families. *You may want to remind them that you are not recommending services because they are broken or crazy. Rather, they deserve an opportunity to process their experiences in an environment that is safe, productive, and focused on their unique needs. If someone you care about intends to cause themselves immediate harm (according to Military One Source): ● If you’re on the phone, try to keep him or her on the line while you or someone else calls 911 or one of the crisis resources mentioned at the top of the article. Keep talking until help arrives. ● If you are with the person, stay until help arrives. (Never leave a person experiencing suicidal thoughts alone.) Remove any means of self-injury (e.g., weapons, drugs) from the area. ● If the person is unwilling to accept help in either situation, contact emergency services or command, if they are a Service member. If you are interested in additional information on how to be most helpful in a crisis situation surrounding suicide, consider the trainings listed on the Speak Up Reach Out website. Remember that Suicide Doesn’t Just Affect the Person Who Passed Away If someone you care about dies by suicide, there are resources available to help you. Taking active steps in caring for yourself is important, and healing is very much possible. The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provides support services for military-linked survivors of suicide. Read TAPS article “10 things we know to be true” to learn about facts for survivors of suicide loss. Be Preventative! Remember that suicide affects all kinds of people across ages, genders, ethnicities, jobs/ranks, and education levels. What is common across most people when they begin to contemplate suicide is that they are undergoing stressors in their life that deplete their ability to feel hopeful about their own futures. The best way to prevent suicide is to help people address those stressors and maintain their wellbeing far in advance of any suicidal thoughts. Think about the examples below when trying to prevent suicide among people in military families: ● Not being able to access physical and mental health care are significant risk factors for suicide. In addition, finances, housing, and food insecurity are major life stressors. ○ Take note of the needs in your community and find small ways to support those facing challenges. ■ Volunteer your skills as a medical or mental health professional in military communities. ■ Connect with other military families to create a network of social support. ■ Offer to help a fellow military family with transportation to and from healthcare services. ■ Patron businesses that hire veterans and military spouses. ■ Start a community garden in your area to help those who are food insecure to access nutritious fruits and vegetables more easily. ■ Pick up extra supplies on your shopping trip and share them with a fellow military family in a tight financial spot. ○ Be aware of organizations that target these problems, refer families to them, and support them! ■ Donate goods to charities or food banks that serve military communities. Refer military families to Military One Source and Operation We Are Here for financial resources. ■ Encourage engagement with organizations that provide free or low-cost, easily accessible mental health services and resources to military families. Consider supporting these organizations with financial contributions if you are able. Some examples include: ● Treatment Works for Vets ● The Psychological Health Center for Excellence ● In Transition ● Project R.E.D. Team ● Real Strength ○ Support legislation that addresses the financial stability of military families and makes healthcare more accessible to them. Talk with your local representatives about these initiatives and vote in favor of them when the time comes. See our article about voting in the military for more information. ● Loneliness and isolation are highly relevant risk factors. ○ Connect with other military families on a regular basis. Schedule monthly dinners together or participate in mutual activities that can support mental health, such as a group exercise class. ○ Encourage your fellow military families to attend local events. Invite them personally, give them a reminder when the event is approaching, and, if they come, be enthusiastic about them joining! ● Big family transitions are normal sources of significant life stress. ○ Check in with families undergoing transitions such as welcoming a new baby or having a Service member return from deployment. Help them with small everyday stresses by mowing the lawn a few times or making dinner and sending it over. Sometimes it is better to come ready to help, even before it is requested. This article is about suicide. But it is also about the many ways we can create communities that nurture members and provide safety nets for those who may struggle. Together, we can all make small efforts to address suicide in a way that is informed, empathetic, and likely to change our nation for the better. References: Military OneSource. (2019, December 21). Suicide Awareness. Military OneSource. https://www.militaryonesource.mil/health-wellness/mental-health/suicide/suicide-awareness?utm_campaign=mos-enews-sept2020&utm_content=html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery&fbclid=IwAR05ph5sngElTInbRHxXAjs1JtGVkRrcg8vshAK2csCOw7u_S24Lmf5DHzI National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Risk of Suicide. National Alliance on Mental Illness.https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Risk-of-Suicide National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. National Alliance on Mental Illness.https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month Stayton, L. E., Martin, C. E., Pease, J. L., & Chard, K. M. (2019). Changes in suicidal ideation following cognitive processing therapy in a VA residential treatment program. Military Psychology, 31(4), 326-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2019.1630230 Tucker, Jennifer. (2019, July 17) 2017 DoD suicide event report: Key findings about suicidal behaviors among Service members. Psychological Health Center of Excellence. https://www.pdhealth.mil/news/blog/2017-dod-suicide-event-report-key-findings-about-suicidal-behaviors-among-service-members
SOCIAL SUPPORT DURING THE HOLIDAYS
We’ve all heard the phrase _there’s no place like home for the holidays_. Well, how do you handle the holidays when a piece of your “home” is halfway across the world? Unfortunately, this is a very real experience for families of military Service members. Although many military families are away from their loved ones this time of year, there are, thankfully, many ways families can develop and strengthen their support systems to ensure the holidays are still a special experience. In this article, we will discuss social support, the influence it has on families during the holiday season, as well as different ways the community and military families can build and strengthen support systems. #### WHAT IS SOCIAL SUPPORT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Individual people are inherently connected to the communities in which they live. _Social_ connections to others in the community _support_ people in leading healthier, happier lives; hence, the term _social support_. For example, a [recent study](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/dr?id=aafa0f2a-a13d-49da-8a38-eed98a245c4e&rt=rs) showed that simply having coffee socials for military Veterans to mingle with their peers helped those Veterans to form meaningful friendships, feel greater purpose in life, and even access programs to meet their everyday needs (such as housing or medical services). Although the coffee socials were originally organized by a civilian facilitator, Veterans became increasingly involved and were eventually facilitating the socials independently! Opportunities for social support helped these Veterans, but, perhaps more importantly, they were motivated to continue these events because they recognized how helpful this kind of social support could be for others. This is a great example of how both civilian and military communities can come together to support Service members, Veterans, and their families. Although the holidays can be a difficult part of the year, when families have social support, they feel more connected to others and can enjoy the season more easily. Here are some fun holiday ideas that can help military families build their social support systems: #### EVENTS ORGANIZED BY THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITY With any event, ensure you are maintaining your state’s social distance laws/policies. * Organize a hot chocolate social * Like the Veteran coffee socials, a hot chocolate social is a family-friendly activity that encourages community engagement. * [Show a holiday movie at a local recreation center](https://sportadvisory.com/host-community-movie-night-at-your-recreation-center/) * To make military families feel welcomed into the community, take a traditional family movie night and turn it into a community-wide event that specifically features military families as desired guests. * Host a “sponsor a military family” event * Bring civilian community members together and sign up to bring local military families things they will need to help them celebrate the holidays, such as meals, gifts, and other holiday items. #### WAYS MILITARY FAMILIES CAN BUILD SOCIAL SUPPORT * Attend religious services * Just because the pandemic happened this year doesn’t mean religious ceremonies have stopped. Many organizations are beginning to offer in-person services; however, if you are uncomfortable attending in-person, find out which organizations are offering virtual services. * Join winter sports leagues * Joining a winter sports league, like hockey/ice skating or basketball, can allow your children to exercise, while allowing you to connect with others in your community. * Participate in virtual caroling & tree lighting * The holiday spirit can’t be stopped by the pandemic! Virtually gather your friends and turn on the holiday cheer by decorating for the holidays together. Maybe even virtually bake some cookies together or your favorite meals using video conferencing, such as FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, or Zoom! * Volunteer at the local food pantry * Serving others is good for the soul! If you have the extra time, take your family to a food pantry or soup kitchen to volunteer. Your hearts will become warmed as you support and connect with members of your community. * Mail cookie decorating kits * Cookie decorating!? Yes, please! Gather lots of sprinkles and colorful icings, make your favorite cookie recipe, and package it all up to send to your friends, particularly friends with young children. Cookie decorating kits are a great way to send holiday cheer if you can’t physically be with those near to your heart. Have them send you photos of the final products! Overall, it is important that military families understand they are not alone and that there are plenty of people ready to support them in any way they need, amid a global pandemic and especially during the holidays. Simple acts of connection can start with you! ##### References [Gorman, J. A., Scoglio, A. A. J., Smolinsky, J., Russo, A., & Drebing, C. E. (2018). Veteran Coffee Socials: A community-building strategy for enhancing community reintegration of veterans. Community Mental Health Journal, 54(8), 1189–1197.](https://militaryreach.auburn.edu/DetailResult?resourceid=aafa0f2a-a13d-49da-8a38-eed98a245c4e&resType=resSum) [Link to Source](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10597-018-0288-y)