New Study Identifies Critical Need for Mental Health Support for Kids from Military Families

COLUMBUS, Ohio - More than 1.6 million military-connected children live in the United States today. These children often face frequent relocations, long separations from loved ones on deployment, and sudden transitions. According to a new report from The Kids Mental Health Foundation, children of military-connected families face unique challenges to their mental health. Among other challenges, they frequently encounter a lack of understanding of their unique circumstance and difficulty feeling connected to their schools, peers, and the broader community.

The gap analysis study, which includes key insights from various military-focused organizations, found that limited materials exist to build mental wellness skills in children with family members in any branch of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Space Force or Reserves.

With the help of a $2.5 million gift from Bread Financial, The Kids Mental Health Foundation aims to close that gap by launching specialized resources and programmatic support nationwide. The new military-connected resources offer teachers, coaches, and others, even if not connected to the military, guidance on how military life affects mental health and provides strategies to help kids from military families build wellness skills.

"Military-connected children live in a world shaped by service, sacrifice and constant change, and their mental health needs are unique," said Whitney Raglin Bignall, PhD, associate clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "We are very grateful to Bread Financial for their generous donation, so we can help military kids thrive nationwide. By understanding their language, honoring their emotions, and creating safe and welcoming spaces, we can build a supportive community for these children."

"I can't think of a timelier opportunity than Veterans Day to honor, through the launch of this important work by The Kids Mental Health Foundation, the sacrifices made by military families," said Ralph Andretta, president and CEO of Bread Financial. "We are proud to partner on these new mental health resources that will strengthen our communities' ability to address the unique challenges children of military-connected families face. Through the Foundation's work, critical support will be more readily available, helping these children build a strong, resilient foundation for a bright future."

Dr. Raglin Bignall says validating kids' emotions, honoring their experiences, and celebrating the strengths of military life, like adaptability and resilience, can build trust with the grown-ups in their lives and promote long-term well-being. However, prolonged stress on their mental health can show up in the following ways:

• Withdrawing from others or isolating oneself.
• Sudden academic changes.
• Mood swings or irritability.
• Frequent stomach aches or headaches.
• Changes in sleep or appetite.

Additionally, Dr. Raglin Bignall says if parents and caregivers notice these signs persist, they should seek help. Military OneSource (800-342-9647 or MilitaryOneSource.mil) offers 24/7 confidential help, including counseling for military families. They can also visit NCTSN.org for trauma-informed support.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation encourages families to celebrate their military identity and discuss the strengths of being part of a military family, like courage and perseverance. Each branch has its core values that adults can leverage as they seek to support military-connected children in meaningful ways. Ask children to share what makes their family unique. These moments of pride can help balance the weight of challenging times.

For more resources to support military-connected children, please visit KidsMentalHealthFoundation.org.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation is the leading organization promoting mental health for children in the United States. To achieve its vision to build a world where mental health is a vital part of every child's upbringing, nearly 1,000 mental health professionals and researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital, in partnership with other trusted experts, provide real-world knowledge and expertise to power the Foundation's free educational videos, guides and curriculum. To date, more than 24 million people have engaged with the Foundation's materials, helping parents, educators and coaches be a guiding force for children all across the United States.

About Bread Financial^®

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