Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 1 Supporting Families During A Combat Deployment First Edition, 2007

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 2 Objectives of Family Support for Combat Deployment  To describe how combat deployments impact families  To describe families’ reactions  To provide guidance on how to help families cope with stress and emotions related to combat deployment  To discuss the implementation of this guidance pre, during, and post combat deployment

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 3 What Makes Combat Deployment Different  Soldier’s exposure to combat  Additional stressors:  Threat of Soldier injury and death  Dealing with uncertainty for a prolonged period while worrying about Soldier safety  Unique characteristics of war, warfare, and location  Impact of combat on Soldier  Media coverage of war/combat operations

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 4 What Makes Combat Deployment Different (continued)  Loss and ambiguous loss  Long-term change in Family roles and relationships  Communication with Soldier is a mixed blessing  Families will struggle to find meaning of deployment or to understand mission’s purpose  With increased operational security, families may have greater difficulty getting accurate information in timely manner  Compassion fatigue (a risk for FRG leaders and volunteers)

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 5 What Makes Combat Deployment Different (continued) Longer and more complex reunion process:  Anxiety about Soldier’s reintegration into Family  Need to deal with Soldier’s combat stress-related reactions and experiences  Families at risk for secondary trauma  Stressed state when facing reunion

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 6 Soldiers’ Possible Reactions to Combat  Combat Operational Stress Reaction (COSR)  Traumatic grief  Depression  Somatic complaints; health problems  Chronic fatigue  Anxiety  Substance abuse  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 7  Intense fear and worry  Anxiety  Loneliness  Depression  Anger  Difficulties sleeping  High levels of stress  Absent minded  Tense; Family tension  Impatient  Fatigue (from emotional toll)  Daydreaming (children)  Fighting with parent (children)  Change in school performance (children) Families’ Reactions to Combat Deployment

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 8 What Influences Families’ Reactions Circumstances of combat deployment  Proximity to combat exposure (i.e., impact on Soldier)  Whether single, multiple or ongoing event  Length of deployment

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 9 What Influences Families’ Reactions (continued) Individual/Family characteristics  Temperament  Resources  Coping style  Preexisting stressors  Culture  Spirituality and beliefs  Perception about meaning of event

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 10 What Influences Families’ Reactions (continued) Support system  Family support  Army and community support

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 11 How Families Cope Effective Strategies  Having information and keeping well informed  Knowing what resources available  Being comfortable using Army services  Having a support network (including contact with unit)  Having a strong marriage  Participating in FRG  Doing volunteer work  Maintaining communication with Soldier

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 12 How Families Cope (continued) Ineffective Strategies  Focusing too much on Soldier’s well-being  Blaming  Avoiding daily tasks  Watching too much television  Abusing drugs and alcohol

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 13 Focus of Unit Support Efforts to Facilitate Coping and Resilience 1.Increase Family’s capability to deal with stress, uncertainty and effects of combat deployment a.Strengthen and develop individual and Family resources. b.Reframe event. c.Strengthen and develop abilities to deal with and control emotions.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 14 Focus of Unit Support Efforts (continued) 2.Monitor needs and Family well-being 3.Create a supportive environment  Be prompt in support efforts.  Disseminate information on resources available.  Connect individuals to others for social contact and assistance.  Ensure access to needed services.  Monitor community attitudes and perceptions; Address unit morale and control rumors.  Promote unit-wide activities.  Conduct outreach.  Target programs to those in distress or having problems.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 15 Pre-deployment: Preparing Families for Combat Deployment  Provide information.  Encourage Soldiers and Families to prepare through discussions and planning.  Educate parents on how to prepare and support their children.  Clarify perceptions.  Educate Families on resources available and combat deployment reactions.  Acknowledge Families’ reactions and address Family well-being, especially back-to-back deployment or multiple tours.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 16 Pre-deployment: Resources for Preparing Families for Combat Deployment Operation READY Materials  Operation READY Soldier/Family Deployment Survival Handbook  Operation READY Children and Deployment Handbook Military Web sites   MyArmyLifetoo.com    Other Web sites  American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry  Mental Health America (formerly National Mental Health Association) Other  Battlemind Training

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 17 During Combat Deployment: Helping Families with Combat Deployment Stress  Keep Families informed about unit activities and Soldiers in theatre.  Provide information on normal reactions and coping with stress information. Refer to stress management programs.  Encourage communication within Families and with others.  Ensure social activities provided.  Provide guidance on media exposure.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 18 During Combat Deployment: Monitoring Family Well-Being  Ensure FRG activities and unit sponsored programs meet Families’ needs.  Ensure FRG Key Callers make welfare calls periodically.  Look for warning signs of unhealthy responses and difficulties coping.  Assist and refer Families.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 19 During Combat Deployment: Creating Supportive Environment  Educate and work with community (including schools).  Facilitate Soldier-Family communication.  Show concern for Families and maintain open communication.  Promote and sustain FRGs.  Reach out to geographically dispersed Families.  Promote community activities that support Families and children.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 20 Redeployment  Educate Families about combat reactions and reintegration process prior to Soldiers return.  Inform Families what preparation and support are given to Soldiers to aid their transition from war front to home front.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 21 Post Combat Deployment: Helping Families with Combat Stress and Transition  Help Soldier and Family reframe event.  Educate Families about normal reactions to combat.  Ensure access to programs that strengthen Family relationships and communication skills.  Encourage Soldiers and Families to talk to and spend time with others.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 22 Post Combat Deployment: Monitoring Family Well-Being  Assess Family needs and issues periodically. Coordinate delivery of information and programs needed.  Ensure FRG Key Callers make welfare calls periodically.  Look for warning signs of unhealthy responses and difficulties coping. Assist and refer Families.  Identify at-risk Families (e.g., prior FAP cases, Families without support systems).

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 23 Post Combat Deployment: Creating a Supportive Environment  Conduct reunion and homecoming ceremony activities.  Allow Soldiers and Families to have “Family” time.  Develop or promote opportunities for Families to connect with others.  Connect Soldiers and Families to support agencies early.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 24 Tips on Interacting with Distressed Individuals  Be compassionate.  Allow individuals to vent their feelings. Listen patiently and nonjudgmentally.  Allow for diversity in how individuals respond and cope. Accept anger and intense emotions as normal reactions.  Respect religious and cultural beliefs.  If acutely distressed, refer immediately to mental health provider or Chaplain.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 25 Guidelines on Helping Distressed Families  Assist individuals in getting basic needs met.  Help individuals access care available from military and community agencies.  Assess stress level and functioning as well as identify strengths. Refer individuals to appropriate agencies as needed.  Offer reassurance.  Encourage self-confidence and point out individual’s strengths.  Provide information on effective ways to cope with stress.

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 26 Support Agencies Army Community Service Military OneSource Military Family Life Consultants Chaplains Medical Treatment Facility/TRICARE Community Resources

Supporting Families - Combat Deployment | 27 Closing Remarks  Need to adjust support efforts with each combat deployment  Helping Families thrive with combat deployment involves:  Helping Families deal with stress and uncertainty  Monitoring well-being  Providing a supportive environment