Hello wellness community!
I’m Dr. Hurt, a psychologist with Hurt and Healing Behavioral Health and Wellness. Today I’d I would like to talk to you about Military Family Month and why it matters to all of us.
Each November, we take time to recognize the families of those who serve our country. These families make sacrifices we often don’t see.
The military lifestyle is inherently unpredictable, with families often having to adapt to changes in duty stations or deployments with little notice. The inability to plan ahead or making long-term commitments can create stress and a feeling of instability. Military families often move every two to three years, which can disrupt schooling, careers, and social support systems. Constantly rebuilding social networks and adjusting to new schools and communities can be especially difficult for children and spouses. Constant moves can make it hard to establish long-term care relationships with
healthcare providers, therapists, and other support services. Each relocation often
means finding new doctors and dealing with new healthcare systems, which can be a hassle and delay necessary care.
Deployments, which can last from months to a year or more, create emotional stress and anxiety. Families may worry about the safety of their deployed loved one, and the separation strains marriages, parenting, and daily routines. Reintegrating after deployment also brings its own challenges, as family members adjust to having the service member back home.
Spouses of service members face employment difficulties due to frequent relocations. These moves disrupt careers and can limit job prospects, causing financial strain. The military lifestyle can also make it hard for spouses to access affordable childcare, adding to the stress.
Military children experience frequent school transitions, making it harder to form
friendships and maintain academic consistency. They also face the stress of a parent being away for long periods, which can impact their emotional and mental health. Studies show military children have higher rates of anxiety and depression, partly due to these disruptions and worries.
Both service members and their families face elevated risks of mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. This can impact the entire family unit, and access to quality mental health care can sometimes be limited, particularly in more remote or rural locations.
Military families often live far from their extended families and hometowns. The isolation can be especially tough during deployments or emergencies when there’s limited support nearby. Civilian friends may not fully understand military-related challenges, adding to feelings of isolation.
Behind every service member is a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or other significant relation who also shoulders the weight of service. As a country and within our local communities, we have a chance to show our appreciation in ways that truly make a difference:
1. Extend a Helping Hand: If you know a military family, small gestures mean a lot. Offer to lend a hand with carpooling, share a meal, or help around the house. Your kindness can ease some of the burdens they quietly carry.
2. Create a Supportive Environment for Military Kids: Military children often move between schools, leaving friends behind and starting over multiple times. In schools and extracurricular settings, creating a welcoming, stable environment can help them feel grounded and supported.
3. Listen and Acknowledge: Sometimes, simply recognizing a family’s sacrifices and listening to their experiences can be the most meaningful way to show support.
4. Get Involved with Local Resources: Volunteer or donate to organizations that support military families, especially those providing counseling, emergency assistance, or recreational activities for families facing deployment or other hardships.
As a psychologist, and a military spouse, I know firsthand the difference that community support makes managing stress and strengthening resilience. This month let’s all come together to support our military families. They’re here in our community—and they deserve our gratitude and care, not just in November, but every month.
Thank you for your support and for making our community a place where all families, including Military families can thrive.
Dr. Hurt, PsyD.,
Licensed Psychologist
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