Mission, Family, and Mental Health: The Military Parent Experience
You are part of a community defined by strength, resilience, and a commitment to service. As a military parent, you navigate the universal challenges of parenthood alongside a unique set of stressors that civilian families may never experience: deployments, frequent relocations, and the constant hum of uncertainty. The journey through pregnancy and early parenthood within the military context can place an immense strain on your mental health.
This guide is a space to acknowledge your unique experience. It is a validation of the incredible strength you possess and the specific challenges you face. Your mental health is a critical component of your family's readiness and well-being, and you deserve support that understands the realities of military life.
The Unique Strengths of Military Families
Military families are incredibly resilient. You are adept at adapting to change, building community quickly, and handling challenges with a level of fortitude that is truly remarkable. These strengths are a powerful asset on your parenting journey.
The Unspoken Challenges of Perinatal Health in the Military
Alongside these strengths, you face a higher risk for perinatal mental health challenges. The constant stress, a culture that often stigmatizes seeking help, and the profound isolation that can come with military life are all significant risk factors for perinatal anxiety and postpartum depression.
Common Stressors for New Military Parents
The Anxiety of Pregnancy and Postpartum During a Deployment
Navigating a pregnancy or the fourth trimester while your partner is deployed is an experience of profound strength and profound loneliness. You may be facing doctor's appointments, the challenges of a newborn, and your own physical recovery without your primary support person.
The Loneliness of Being Far from Your "Village"
Frequent relocations often mean you are thousands of miles away from your family and your established support systems. While the military community can be incredible, the lack of your long-term "village" can deepen feelings of isolation.
Navigating the Military Healthcare System
While providing essential care, the military healthcare system can sometimes be difficult to navigate, and finding providers who specialize in perinatal mental health can be a challenge.
Protecting Your Mental Health as a Military Family
Build Your "Framily": Creating a New Support System
Proactively build your "family of friends" at your duty station. Connect with other military parents who understand your daily reality. This chosen family can be a lifeline of practical and emotional support.
Create a Proactive Mental Health Plan Before a Deployment
If a deployment is on the horizon, sit down as a couple and create a plan.
- Who are your emergency contacts?
- How will you schedule regular time for the parent at home to get a break?
- What are the signs of a mental health struggle that you will both watch out for?
Leverage Military-Specific Resources
There are a number of organizations and resources specifically designed to support the mental health of military families. Seek them out and use them.
When to Seek Professional, Military-Competent Care
Understanding How a Therapist Can Help
Therapy provides a confidential space to process the unique stressors of military life. It's a place where you don't have to be "military strong" and can be open about your struggles. This kind of specialized care is a key part of our commitment to support for every family.
Finding a Provider Who "Gets" Military Life
When seeking a therapist, look for a "military-competent" provider. This is someone who understands the acronyms, the culture, and the unique challenges you face. This means you won't have to waste time explaining the basics of your life. This is just as important as finding culturally competent care for BIPOC parents or affirming care for LGBTQ+ parents.
Your Strength Includes Your Willingness to Get Support
In military culture, strength is paramount. But true strength includes the courage to recognize when you need help and the willingness to reach out for it. Prioritizing your mental health is an act of service to yourself, your family, and your community.
If you are a military parent struggling with your mental health, you don't have to carry the weight alone. Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a Phoenix Health care coordinator to find a therapist who understands.