Military families are uniquely affected by work and life stressors. Pre-deployment training and preparation, deployment, as well as reintegration can affect not only the service member, but his/her spouse and family.
Show Support
You might be surprised! School counselors are highly trained, extremely talented, well connected, and extraordinarily resourceful individuals. If we personally can’t help you with a problem, we probably know someone who can, or we can partner with you to figure it out together.
Examples of Common School Counselor Duties:
- Identifying issues affecting school performance, including absenteeism and school avoidance
- Addressing social or behavioral problems, helping to identify appropriate solutions
- Helping students develop skills needed for academic success, identifying students who may need additional accommodations to have equitable access to curriculum
- Counseling individuals and small groups regarding emotional/psychological topics
- Assessing students’ abilities and interests and encouraging them to explore them
- Helping students set and work to achieve academic or career goals
Providing Support for Mental Health
Mental health challenges can deeply impact military families in their selfless service to our nation’s security. Knowing how to support yourself and your loved ones can seem daunting, but we are here to help.
Notice the Signs
The signs and symptoms of mental illness range from one individual to the next; however some common symptoms to look for include:
- Prolonged sadness or irritability
- Extreme highs and lows
- Excessive fears, worries, or anxieties
- Social withdrawal
- Dramatic changes in eating and sleeping behaviors
- Strong feelings of anger
- Suicidal thoughts
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Excessive substance abuse
Show Support
Being vulnerable and willing to open a dialogue about the common issues military families face can make your loved one(s) feel safe and comfortable opening up to you about their struggles. Understanding stigma and concerns about a mental health condition goes a long way in helping those affected feel heard and understood.
Get Help
If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health related issues, seeking professional help may be the best next step.
At Sunstone, our counselors are experienced in supporting families as they cope with the unique challenges presented by the military lifestyle. Contact us to expedite getting you matched with the right counselor today.
