Tag Archives: feeling sad or hopeless

April is the Month of the Military Child

April is the Month of the Military Child

In 1986 the Department of Defense deemed April as the Month of the Military Child. From deployments to frequent moves, military children face unique challenges that most youth their age do not experience. This annual awareness campaign recognizes the sacrifices made and applauds the courage of military children.

  • Military families relocate 10 times more often the civilian families; on average, every two or three years
  • Since 2001, more than 2 million American children have had a parent deployed at least once.
  • More than 900,000 children have experienced the deployment of one or both parents multiple times.
  • Children in military families experience high rates of mental health, trauma, and related problems. About 30% reported feeling sad or hopeless almost everyday for 2 weeks during the past 12 months. Nearly 1 in 4 reported having considered suicide.
  • 37% of children with a deployed parent reported that they seriously worry about what could happen to their deployed caretaker.