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Sign Up for Emails- Military-connected kids often face frequent moves, long separations and sudden transitions. Supporting their mental health requires structure, emotional availability and a sense of belonging.
- Routines can help create stability and a sense of security amid constant change.
- Validating kids' emotions, honoring their experiences and celebrating the strengths of military life (like adaptability and resilience) can build trust and promote long-term well-being.
- Trusted adults should watch for signs of stress like withdrawal, physical symptoms (e.g. stomachaches) or mood swings and act early by connecting families to specialized support.
Military Connected Children
Kids from military families, whether they have a parent/caregiver currently serving or have a sibling or other close relative who is a veteran or in the reserves, can have unique mental health needs.
We can all help support the mental health needs of military connected children by connecting with them and advocating for them in our local communities.
Related Articles
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Supporting Military-Connected Kids’ Mental Health
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Understanding Common Military Acronyms
- Understanding military acronyms helps parents, educators and supporters of military-connected youth navigate conversations, resources, and the unique aspects of military life.
- Familiarity with these terms can strengthen relationships and foster a more supportive environment for military families and children.
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Why School Belonging Matters
- A sense of belonging at school helps children feel supported, respected and accepted, which is good for their mental health.
- Children who feel they belong are more engaged in schoolwork, perform better academically and are less likely to experience loneliness, anxiety and depression.
- Teachers can foster belonging by connecting individually with students, encouraging classroom connections and empowering students.
- Parents and caregivers can support school belonging by taking an interest in their child's school life and checking in regularly with the child about school.
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Belonging Boosts Kids' Mental Health
- Children who feel connected to their families, schools and neighborhoods experience mental health benefits.
- Feelings of belonging can be increased by modeling healthy relationship skills, providing them with opportunities and considering your child’s unique temperament.
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Helping Kids Make Friends
Teaching your child social skills may help them make friends more easily. It’s a skill that they’ll use their entire lives - throughout childhood, the teenage years and adulthood.
Activities
Lesson Plans: Building Strong Connections in the Classroom
Whether a child is adjusting to a military move, starting at a new school or simply looking for their place in the classroom, strong relationships can make all the difference. These free lesson plans help educators create inclusive classroom communities where every student has opportunities to build friendships, strengthen resilience and develop a sense of belonging.
Developed by pediatric mental health experts, these ready-to-use activities are designed specifically for educators and organized by grade level to make implementation simple.
The research and development of these resources was generously funded by Bread Financial.
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