At the end of 2008 nearly 1.7 million American service members had served in either Operation Enduring Freedom, and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom. Forty three percent of active duty members have children.
Some of the challenges children can face before, during, and after a parent is deployed
- Many children have to cope with living with a parent who returns profoundly changed by war.
- Young children may suffer from separation anxiety during a deployment, and may be more likely to throw temper tantrums.
- School age children may experience a drop in their academic performance levels, and are more likely to have mood swings.
- Adolescents may become angry and lash out at others.
Serious stress indicators
-If a student exhibits any of the following signs the child must be referred for immediate evaluation
- Unfocused agitation or hysteria.
- Disconnection from peers and adults.
- Serious depression or withdrawal.
- Auditory or visual hallucinations.
- Any prolonged major change from normal functioning that continues six weeks after deployment.
- Inability or unable to resume normal classroom assignments and activities.
- High levels of emotions such as continued crying and intense sadness.
- Depressed, withdrawn and non-communicative behaviors.
- Violent or depressed feelings expressed in "dark" drawings or writings.
- Causing intentional harm to themselves or others.
- A significant amount of weight gain or loss in a period of weeks.
- Reduction or loss of care about personal appearance.
- Drug or alcohol abuse.
No comments:
Post a Comment