because within military culture an individual is expected to remain strong and deal with problems without complaint (Milburn & Lightfoot, 2013). For those children of parents who serve in National Guard or Reserve units, the issues of lack of communication may be even more exacerbated because they have very few friends that share similar experiences and related emotional stressors.
Secondary Trauma Stress. Surveys conducted among military families suggests that spouses and children of combat-exposed soldiers with PTSD are at risk for developing secondary traumatic stress (Herzog, Everson, & Whitworth, 2011). Secondary trauma stress can result from listening to soldier-parent’s stories regarding their experiences in a war zone, the child begins to empathize with the parent, feeling their pain, helplessness, and loss of hope. Secondary trauma stress can greatly increase the risk of substance abuse among these children, therefore preventative and treatment programs are needed for these children to lessen the risk of substance abuse.
Mental Health Services for Children with Substance Use Disorders
Existing Mental Healthcare Services. …show more content…
Military deployment of a parent is a critical time for prevention and intervention of substance abuse among children of military families. Recommendations for the elimination of substance abuse among these children include 1) enhanced support services for military families during periods of increased stress, such as with deployment; 2) identifying children who are at increased risk for substance abuse; 3) increased support services for military families experiencing soldier-parent’s reintegration back into the family; 4) design programs that educate and train military families of combat injured soldier-parents; and 5) develop interdisciplinary programs for community-based mental health professionals on the mental health issues faced by children of military families (Reed, Bell, & Edwards,
Secondary Trauma Stress. Surveys conducted among military families suggests that spouses and children of combat-exposed soldiers with PTSD are at risk for developing secondary traumatic stress (Herzog, Everson, & Whitworth, 2011). Secondary trauma stress can result from listening to soldier-parent’s stories regarding their experiences in a war zone, the child begins to empathize with the parent, feeling their pain, helplessness, and loss of hope. Secondary trauma stress can greatly increase the risk of substance abuse among these children, therefore preventative and treatment programs are needed for these children to lessen the risk of substance abuse.
Mental Health Services for Children with Substance Use Disorders
Existing Mental Healthcare Services. …show more content…
Military deployment of a parent is a critical time for prevention and intervention of substance abuse among children of military families. Recommendations for the elimination of substance abuse among these children include 1) enhanced support services for military families during periods of increased stress, such as with deployment; 2) identifying children who are at increased risk for substance abuse; 3) increased support services for military families experiencing soldier-parent’s reintegration back into the family; 4) design programs that educate and train military families of combat injured soldier-parents; and 5) develop interdisciplinary programs for community-based mental health professionals on the mental health issues faced by children of military families (Reed, Bell, & Edwards,