Military families play a special role in the post-combat transition. But they sometimes feel caught in the middle—struggling to provide support to their servicemembers, while also dealing with difficult challenges of their own:
- Approximately one third of returning servicemembers and their families cited marital and family issues as being difficult to deal with.
- 16% of family members sought mental health assistance. Of those, more than one third did so while their servicemember was deployed.
The needs of family members are significant—and sometimes overshadowed. Dig into the Joining Forces America survey results to learn more about how families are coping.
-
"Don't judge. Be kind, supportive—and listen. Show empathy even when you don't fully understand the hardships we suffered."
Combat veteran
-
"Allow the servicemember time alone to readjust and to fit back in to the family routine. Allow me to be me for a while...give me my space."
Combat veteran
-
"Welcome servicemembers home, and be open to hearing about their experiences. Encourage them with positive comments about their service."
Combat veteran
-
"Let the servicemember tell you about it in their own time. Understand that reintegration is going to take time and that they are under a lot of stress."
Combat veteran
-
"Provide a feeling of appreciation for what they did and the sacrifice they and their families made. Stay in contact to let the servicemember and family know you are available if needed."
Combat veteran
-
"Help watch for signs of a need, even if the servicemember or family don't recognize the signs themselves."
Combat veteran
Share your voice
Watch The Next Mission, the Regional Emmy-Award winning documentary inspired by our survey.
