Canadian Department of National Defense/CF Ombudsman, (2013) identify three areas of challenges for military families which are risk, mobility and separation. Military members are frequently moving or what is commonly referred to as posted in order to meet operational demands without any input or choice about where they will be relocated or knowledge of how long the posting will be. A posting results in a family having to leave behind familial and friend support. Deployments mean that families are separated and worried about the risks associated with the deployments. Risk involves the possibility of injury, illness or death during operational training and associated deployments. “Few occupations or professions expose the overwhelming majority
…show more content…
The transitory lifestyle of the military member often results in the spouse struggling to find employment, leaving behind supports and the stress of trying to ensure adequate housing and access to health-related services. The stress of experiencing deployments, including pre and post-deployment activities, and the risk associated for the member has been found to increase depressive thoughts and anxiety in spouses. These challenges are often faced without extended family support, outside community support or recognition. “The unpredictability of postings, deployments and spousal employment directly impacts the financial stability of a CF family” (Ombudsman, …show more content…
Not only are these services difficult to access because of the frequent moving, but the service providers are not always aware of the risk factors for military families. Lemmon and Chartrand (2009) report that when service providers working with youth and families are educated about the unique cultural experiences of military families they “have the opportunity to engage military youth in a well-informed and culturally sensitive fashion that has the potential to stabilize children on a path to success during a potentially difficult time in their lives”. Civilian services and professionals that are providing support to military families need to be educated about the risk factors associated with the frequent moving, separation and impacts of deployments. In order to promote the well-being of military families the gaps that are perpetuating ill-health need to be
The transitory lifestyle of the military member often results in the spouse struggling to find employment, leaving behind supports and the stress of trying to ensure adequate housing and access to health-related services. The stress of experiencing deployments, including pre and post-deployment activities, and the risk associated for the member has been found to increase depressive thoughts and anxiety in spouses. These challenges are often faced without extended family support, outside community support or recognition. “The unpredictability of postings, deployments and spousal employment directly impacts the financial stability of a CF family” (Ombudsman, …show more content…
Not only are these services difficult to access because of the frequent moving, but the service providers are not always aware of the risk factors for military families. Lemmon and Chartrand (2009) report that when service providers working with youth and families are educated about the unique cultural experiences of military families they “have the opportunity to engage military youth in a well-informed and culturally sensitive fashion that has the potential to stabilize children on a path to success during a potentially difficult time in their lives”. Civilian services and professionals that are providing support to military families need to be educated about the risk factors associated with the frequent moving, separation and impacts of deployments. In order to promote the well-being of military families the gaps that are perpetuating ill-health need to be