Your family member has deployed This is often a time of significant emotional turmoil as the family tries to regain its balance after the departure of one of its members. Many day-to-day responsibilities need to be absorbed by the family as a new balance is established.  Feelings such as numbness, sadness, and a sense of isolation or abandonment are common and normal for several weeks.  There are several things you can do to help cope with these feelings:

• Review and follow your deployment plan
• Communicate with your deployed family member through the Internet or military supported telephone services
• Keep to a schedule that includes enjoyable activities

If painful feelings persist beyond four weeks- especially if accompanied by depressed or anxious mood, irritability, poor sleep and appetite- consider talking with a health professional.  You can get help from your unit’s family support services, your unit chaplain or another member of the clergy, your primary care doctor or your local mental health services.  If in doubt about where to get help, you can get advice, guidance, and even an appointment to meet with a counselor at MilitaryOneSource.

The following web sites may provide helpful information:

Pre-Deployment

• National Center for PTSD - Families in the Military (PDF)
• Military.com - Deployment Center
• A Soldier and Family Guide to Redeploying (PDF)

Post-Deployment

• Homecoming: Dealing with Changes and Expectation (PDF)
• Homecoming: Tips for Reunion (PDF)
• Returning from the War Zone
• Warzone Related Stress Reactions (PDF)

Children

• Military Child Education Coalition
• The Impact of Deployment on the Military Family (PDF)
• Talk Listen Connect--Sesame Street Workshop  - Deployments, Homecomings, Changes
• DHCC (Deployment Health Clinical Center)
• VA Kids

Relationships

• Becoming a Couple Again (PDF)

General Resources for Families

• Face of the New Veteran - Resources for Veterans and Families (PDF) - Includes a select set of programs with telephone numbers or websites. Supports the web-based video: Face of the New Veteran: Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF)
• Face of the New Veteran - Supporting Information (PDF) - Describes what a select set of organizations provide for veterans, these organizations include: Vet Centers, Veterans Benefits Administration, Suicide Prevention Hotline, National Center for PTSD, Military Onesource, Deployment Health Clinical Center, VA forms, Transition Assistance Advisors.

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