The Kids Mental Health Foundation Launches New Educational Curriculum for Teachers with Military-Connected Students in Class

Free resources help educators and coaches support the mental health of children from military families

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Over 2 million students in the United States have a military connection through an active duty or veteran service member in their family. According to the National Institutes of Health, children of military-connected families face unique challenges to their mental health due to navigating issues such as long separations, frequent moves, adjusting to new schools and making new friends. Experts at The Kids Mental Health Foundation have created new Mental Wellness Lesson Plans and Activities for teachers to help military-connected students build a sense of belonging, make new friends, and manage stress.

“School can be a place to help students navigate the challenges of having a loved one deployed in the military or adjusting to new routines from relocating frequently,” said Whitney Raglin Bignall, PhD, associate clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Most military-connected children do not attend school on a military base, and many educators are unaware they have these youth in their schools, so we needed to create this new curriculum. Having a strong connection with at least one teacher can help students, not only with their academic progress, but also with their mental health.”

A 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.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation aims to close that gap by launching specialized resources and programmatic support nationwide. The 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.

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, teachers, or 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.

For more helpful resources, 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.