United Through Reading Military Program
by admin | January 11, 2012 | posted in: Military Mental Health
Some of the fondest memories that people have of their childhood are reading bedtime stories with their parents. Reading together helps strengthen the bond between parents and children, and also helps children develop an appreciation for books.
However, many military children are not able to share this experience with one or both of their parents, because they are deployed overseas. The United Through Reading® Military Program is helping to ease the fear, uncertainty and anxiety felt by children in military families by providing them with opportunities for powerful emotional connections that relieve the stress of separation. Continue reading →
Zero to Three: “Over There” Activity Book
by admin | January 9, 2012 | posted in: Military Mental Health
Military separations are hard on everyone. For military families, these times of stress and separation can create unique concerns and obstacles when parenting a baby or toddler. Young children may find it very difficult to adjust to the absence of a parent who is called to duty. Without the normal exposure and interaction, it can be difficult for very young children to feel connected to a deployed parent. Some children may not understand why a parent has to leave, while others may be afraid for their parent’s safety. Continue reading →
Sesame Workshop Offers 10 Ways for Military Kids to “Let it Out”
“Let it Out” is the title of a new music video, and fun catch-phrase, created by Sesame Workshop to help military children express their feelings about deployed parents, multiple moves, holidays without loved ones and a whole host of unique emotional issues military families face.
New resources from Sesame Workshop, with characters from Sesame Street and The Electric Company, will help elementary school-aged children in military families let their emotions out in positive and creative ways, and stay connected to their loved ones while they’re deployed. The just-launched initiative is a result of on-going collaboration between Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) and the nonprofit Sesame Workshop to help military families cope with challenging transitions.
The new bilingual website for military families, Military Families Near and Far, is designed to offer a safe, fun place for families to “create, communicate and stay connected.” On the site, there are seven ways you and your child can make that happen: Continue reading →
Operation Purple Camp – Kids Serve Too!
by admin | January 5, 2012 | posted in: Military Mental Health
When you hear “Operation Purple camp” you should think: Kids Serve Too! The National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple camps are a time for having fun, making friends, and reminding military kids that they are the Nation’s youngest heroes.
The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 in response to the call from military parents to “help us help our kids.” The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships, in spite of the current military environment. We do this through a variety of means, including the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or “purple”— and open to children and families of active duty, National Guard or Reserve service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA. Continue reading →
Nominate An Outstanding Young Hero for 2012 Military Child of the Year
by admin | January 3, 2012 | posted in: Military Mental Health
In spite of the extraordinary challenges they face, military kids have proven to be some of the strongest, brightest kids around. They are vibrant and flexible. And they shine in the most difficult circumstances.
Operation Homefront is proud to honor the strength, courage and achievements of our warriors’ children through a special award – the 2012 Military Child of the Year. If you know a military child who shines, please nominate him or her for this special award. Continue reading →
NASA Space Camp Scholarship Offered to Military Children
by admin | January 3, 2012 | posted in: Military Mental Health
Nasa Space CampNASA Space Camp is a place of learning where children come together for a journey they will never forget. For many, it is a life-changing event – helping them make decisions about their educational and vocational careers. This extraordinary adventure teaches our youth about astronauts and space travel and so much more. They learn leadership and they develop bonds of friendship that can last a lifetime. Continue reading →
Welcome to Military Pathways Blog!
by admin | January 2, 2012 | posted in: Alcohol Awareness, Anxiety, Depression, Family Resiliency, Military Mental Health, PTSD, Suicide Awareness
Hello and welcome!
Military Pathways® works to reduce mental health stigma and encourage help-seeking in the military community. We do this by offering free, educational resources and anonymous, online screenings to military service members and their families. To date, we’ve screened nearly 225,000 people and educated thousands about the signs and symptoms of mental health and alcohol use disorders. While these numbers are promising, we know there is still more work to be done and we can’t do it alone. We need your help. Continue reading →