Operation H.E.E.L. Heal & Empower Every Life 2 1 The Mission - - PDF document

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How Are Our U.S. Military Children Doing?

Cindy Brosig, MSN, BSN, RN, AAI Practitioner USAF Nurse Corps Veteran

Operation H.E.E.L.

Heal & Empower Every Life

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The Mission

Objectives

• Become familiar with

the U.S. military family lifestyle

• Assess the current

health & wellness of U.S. Military Children

• Use learning tools &

resources specifically developed for our U.S. Military Children

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The Intel

U.S. Service Branch Mission Differences

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Military Family Members

The Reconnaissance

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Stages of Deployment

The “Real” Stages of Deployment

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Stage 1: Pre-Deployment

• Family planning
• Anticipation/stress

builds

• Physical & mental

distancing

Stage 2: Deployment

• Disorganized,
• verwhelmed, the

uncertainty

• Mixed emotions
• Security & safety

concerns

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Stage 3: Sustainment

• The “New Normal”
• Support system

established

• “We Got This!”

Step 4: Re-Deployment

• The “Home Stretch”
• Nervous energy
• Mixed emotions

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Stage 5: Post-Deployment

• The “Honeymoon”
• Shuffling of family

duties--power struggles

• Need for space

Target Area of Interest

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Mental Health Status

• 15.2% increase yearly

in mental health conditions

• 20% increase per year

in suicidal ideation

• 3% annual increase in

psychiatric medication Rx

Effects of Deployment

• #1 Anxiety (3yrs-5yrs)
• #1 Behavioral (6yrs-

10yrs)

• #1 Depression (11yrs-

17yrs)

• 1/3 of school aged kids

exhibit psychosocial behaviors

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Military in the Community

• 40% of MF do not feel

a sense of belonging to community

• 50% of MF feel there

are no resources designed for them

• 46% of MF feel

civilians have limited awareness, understanding, support,

• r respect for MF

The Conflict

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Military Child Life Stressors

• Take on

fear/worry/anger from parent/guardian

• Fear of asking hard

questions “Will they come home?”

• Feelings of

abandonment

• Absorb adult

responsibilities

Schooling Challenges

• Lack of peer support

and/or mentoring

• Political target
• U.S. service member

public image

• Inability to share their

support/concern for their military family member

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Mission Support

Local Military Support Programs

• MIC3
• Military Interstate Children’s

Compact Commission

• Vet Center (5 in WI)
• WI National Guard

Family Support

• USO
• VFW

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National Military Programs

• Purple Up Camps
• Military OneSource
• Blue Star Families
• Yellow Ribbon Event

Activities to Support Our Military Kids

• Ask about their U.S.

military family member

• Provide forums for

military children to share with peers

• Military story books

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Debrief

Additional Considerations

• Not all U.S. service

members have PTSD

• Document military

status of children

• School enrollment
• Medical records
• Communicate often

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Military Child Strengths

• Resilient
• Hardworking
• Trustworthy
• Compassionate
• Helpful
• Caring

Mission Complete

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Thank you & Be Well

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