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The Cost of Caring: The Impact of Dementia on Caregivers

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Dementia affects millions of individuals in the United States, and the number continues to grow. For military families, veterans, and federal employees, the impact of dementia often unfolds alongside the demands of service, relocation, deployment, or high-stress public service roles. Behind every diagnosis is a caregiver who provides daily support, often without formal training or adequate resources. Nearly 12 million Americans are caring for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias without being compensated, representing an economic value of more than 400 billion dollars. The emotional and physical cost, however, is far more difficult to measure. 

At Magellan Federal, we see the profound physical and emotional impact dementia has not only on those diagnosed but on the caregivers who walk beside them. This includes caregivers across military and federal communities who may already be navigating demanding missions, workforce pressures, or limited access to consistent support. As the population ages, the need to support caregivers becomes a national priority that directly affects family stability, workforce readiness, and long‑term wellbeing. 

The Changing Reality of Dementia Caregiving 

Caregivers today face increasing demands. 30% are 65 or older, 2/3 are women, and 1 in 4 is part of the sandwich generation, caring for both aging parents and children. Among military and federal families, caregiving responsibilities are often layered onto careers that require flexibility, mobility, and sustained performance. Their support allows individuals with dementia to remain at home longer and maintain a sense of dignity and independence. 

Caregiving can strengthen relationships and build resilience, yet it also brings emotional, physical, and financial strain. Compared to caregivers supporting individuals without dementia, dementia caregivers experience nearly double the rate of stress and health challenges. For caregivers in service-oriented environments, these risks can be compounded by operational demands and limited time for self-care. 

The Hidden Toll on Caregivers 

Dementia caregivers often report depression, anxiety, chronic stress, grief, and isolation. Many experience sleep disruption, weakened immune functioning, and increased risk of chronic illness. These challenges can be especially difficult for military families and federal employees who may be managing relocations, deployments, or high responsibility roles while providing care at home. 

The American Medical Association’s Caregiver Health Self‑Assessment Questionnaire highlights early signs of strain, such as irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms are signals that caregivers need support, yet many caregivers, particularly those accustomed to prioritizing mission and service, push through until they reach burnout. 

Burnout and Compassion Fatigue 

Burnout reflects emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. Compassion fatigue develops when caregivers are repeatedly exposed to the suffering of someone they love. Both conditions can leave caregivers feeling numb, overwhelmed, or disconnected from their sense of purpose. 

These experiences are not personal shortcomings. They are predictable outcomes of a system that relies heavily on unpaid caregiving and limited support structures. For military and federal caregivers, cultural expectations around resilience and self-reliance can further delay help-seeking. 

Supporting Caregivers as Part of the Care System 

Magellan Federal advocates for a holistic approach that recognizes caregivers as essential partners in the dementia care journey. Federal agencies and military-connected systems have a unique opportunity to strengthen caregiver wellbeing across the populations they serve. 

  1. Acknowledge the Emotional Experience: Caregivers often feel guilt, grief, fear, and self‑doubt. Understanding the stages of dementia and the changes that come with each stage can help caregivers feel more prepared and less alone. This awareness is especially important in military and federal communities where emotional strain may be underrecognized. Validating their emotions is an important first step. 
  1. Strengthen Support Networks: Caregivers benefit from connection. National dementia organizations offer helplines, support groups, respite services, and educational resources that reduce isolation and help caregivers sustain their role over time. Ensuring these resources are accessible regardless of duty location or work schedule is critical for military and federal families. 
  1. Prioritize Caregiver Health: Caregivers need routines that support physical and mental wellbeing. Encouraging preventive care, behavioral health support, and caregiver‑friendly policies can reduce burnout and improve long-term outcomes. Workplace flexibility and leadership awareness play a meaningful role in supporting caregivers who are also part of the federal workforce. 
  1. Help Families Navigate Dementia Together: Families often struggle to talk about dementia, especially with children. Age‑appropriate resources and guidance can help normalize the experience and build resilience across generations. This support is particularly valuable for military children who may already be adapting to frequent change. 

Why Federal Leadership Matters 

Dementia caregiving is a public health challenge with far-reaching implications. Within military and federal populations, caregiver strain can directly affect readiness, retention, and overall workforce resilience. As the number of individuals living with dementia grows, so will the need for caregivers who are supported, trained, and emotionally equipped for the journey ahead. 

Federal agencies play a critical role in shaping the systems that support these caregivers. By investing in caregiver wellbeing, agencies strengthen workforce readiness, reduce long‑term healthcare costs, and enhance the stability of families who serve the nation. 

Magellan Federal is committed to advancing solutions that build caregiver resilience, expand access to behavioral health resources, and integrate caregiver support into federal programs. The cost of caring is high, but caregivers should not have to carry it alone. 

References:  

  • Oliveros, J. (2018). The Remember Balloons. Simon & Schuster. 
  • Fox, M. (1984). Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge. Kane/Miller Book Publishers. 
  • Elizabeth, J. (n.d.). Will Grammy Remember Me? (Publisher varies by edition.) 


Creating Emotionally Supportive Classrooms: 8 Ways to Transform Early Childhood Classrooms to Help Military Kids Thrive

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Early childhood education plays a crucial role (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2007) in shaping children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. The quality of classroom environments significantly influences these outcomes, particularly in mental health and behavioral wellbeing. While individual child interventions address individual-focused challenges, counselors, educators, and child development professionals can foster positive emotional and social experiences by improving “classroom climates.” Here are tips for creating a supportive, nurturing learning environment.  

Why Classroom Climate Matters: Especially for Military Children 

A child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development is deeply influenced by the quality of their classroom learning environment. Emotional security, structured routines, and positive teacher-child interactions significantly impact greater emotional regulation and resilience in children, improved peer relationships and cooperation, and strong self-management of behaviors and emotions. For children from military families (Park, 2011), classroom climate is particularly important as transitions, parental deployment, and relocation stress impact their emotional wellbeing.  

Addressing Systemic Challenges in Early Childhood Settings 

Supporting children’s behavioral and emotional wellbeing in development centers presents numerous challenges. Early childhood educators today face growing challenges (Lester & Flake, 2013), including limited resources, staff turnover, and increasing numbers of children who require additional support to thrive. Amid these demands, the focus often leans heavily toward academic preparedness, leaving less opportunity for professional development around fostering supportive emotional climates. 

Access to resources for mental health and emotional wellbeing is also limited, with in-person, professionally trained licensed mental health providers being scarce (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2009), highlighting the need for proactive interventions within the classroom. These challenges are even more pronounced in military-connected early childhood settings, where frequent relocations and deployments can leave both parents and educators with limited knowledge of available community resources, further complicating efforts to support children’s social-emotional development. 

Aligning with Existing Frameworks for Greater Impact 

The principles of a “climate scale” can provide consistency in the classroom. By providing interventions modeled after the Preschool Mental Health Climate Scale tool, early childhood counselors and educators can provide support across staff and centers and give practical tools to ensure that teachers are better equipped to manage some of those challenges. Here are two scales that have been effective in our years of providing counseling to military families. 

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) (Harms, Clifford, & Cryer, 2015) is a tool to assess and enhance classroom environments and practices. It provides a structured framework that allows educators to evaluate key aspects of the learning environment using consistent, research-based criteria. By working within a system that employs ECERS, a child development professional can align consultations with a language and set of expectations already familiar to staff. This shared reference point streamlines communication and facilitates more targeted, collaborative problem-solving. As a result, the counselor or teacher is better equipped to provide relevant and actionable support that resonates with children and families and reinforces existing developmental goals. 

Another framework to consider is the Preschool Mental Health Climate Scale (PSMHCS) (Borelli et al., 2019). The PSMHSC is composed of several sections that emphasize various classroom environmental factors. Each section enables a child development professional to recognize deficiencies and implement appropriate interventions. The PSMHCS details how classroom environments impact child behaviors. It will help identify common stressors, such as chaotic transitions or a lack of emotional support strategies and provide actionable strategies to improve classroom climate without major disruptions to routines. 

Applying the Preschool Mental Health Climate Scale   

Here are some common classroom challenges and interventions for teachers and counselors to address with military children, youth, and families.

1. Transitions Between Activities 

Challenge: Children become restless and disruptive during transitions.
Teachers: Model strategies for pre-transition warnings and use verbal and visual cues during classroom instruction.
Counselors: Ask reflective questions like, “How do you think you should respond when there’s a sudden shift in activities?” or “What small changes could make transitions smoother?” to promote self-reflection and ownership of improvement.

2. Directions & Rules 

Challenge: Inconsistent enforcement of rules or lack of clear expectations.
Teachers: Assist in developing visual rule charts, creating consistent rule systems, and integrating social stories to reinforce expectations.
Counselors: Model using positive reinforcement and consistent follow-through with consequences.

3. Behavior Challenges 

Challenge: Behavior escalation due to limited classroom monitoring.
Teachers: Demonstrate active supervision techniques, including effective classroom movement and awareness.
Counselors: Train on recognizing early signs of distress and strategies for proactive engagement. 

4. Emotional State 

Challenge: Emotional state negatively impacts the classroom climate.
Teachers: Facilitate self-reflective discussions about how personal stress, including military-related challenges, influences attention.
Counselors: Train on stress management tools, have individual support sessions, and provide referrals to appropriate resources as needed. 

5. Child Interactions 

Challenge: Limited engagement, minimal physical warmth, and lack of responsive dialogue from staff to children.
Teachers: Ask open-ended questions, have eye-level interactions, and use warm engagement strategies like high-fives and active listening.
Counselors: Demonstrate personalized connection-building techniques with children to promote relational trust and engagement.

6. Transitions Between Activities: Emotional Awareness & Problem-Solving 

Challenge: Children struggle to express emotions and rely on adults to resolve conflicts.
Teachers: Help label emotions and guide children through peer conflict using visual tools like emotion charts.
Counselors: Model emotional coaching strategies and demonstrate conflict resolution techniques in the classroom setting. 

7. Individualized & Developmentally Appropriate Lessons 

Challenge: Rigid, non-differentiated instruction for children with varying needs.
Teachers: Model strategies that promote flexibility, such as offering choices, using sensory-friendly materials, and adjusting activities to meet diverse needs.
Counselors: Reinforce self-regulation skills, offer coping strategies during challenging activities, and help children navigate transitions through individualized support.  

8. Child Interactions 

Challenge: Peer conflicts are frequent; socialization needs.
Teachers: Model strategies for promoting cooperative play and supporting positive social interactions among peers, offering real-time examples in classroom settings.
Counselors: Work with children on positive peer engagement, modeling turn-taking, social invitations, and conflict resolution skills. 

Transforming Environments & Supporting Futures 

By breaking down each component of the preschool mental health climate scale and integrating interventions into daily classroom activities, counselors, educators, and child development professionals can provide support and consultation and exemplify best practices for educators. Enhancing classroom climates can ultimately create healthier, more supportive learning environments to benefit both educators and students. These climate scale principles can be used as a support tool to positively transform early childhood learning environments, ensuring every child receives the emotional and social foundation for long-term success. 

References 

  • Park, N. (2011). Military children and families: Strengths and challenges during peace and war. American Psychologist, 66(1), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021249 
  • National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. (2009). Preventing mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders among young people: Progress and possibilities. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12480 
  • Domitrovich, C. E., Cortes, R. C., & Greenberg, M. T. (2009). Improving young children’s social and emotional competence: A randomized trial of the Preschool PATHS curriculum. Journal of Primary Prevention, 30(3-4), 329–345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-009-0171-0 
  • Harms, T., Clifford, R. M., & Cryer, D. (2015). Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Third Edition (ECERS-3). Teachers College Press.
  • Borelli, J. L., Callaghan, C. L., Smiley, A. J., & Westervelt, H. (2019). Development and Validation of the Preschool Mental Health Climate Scale (PMHCS). Early Education and Development, 30(3), 318–338. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2018.1546095 

Further Reading 

For those supporting young children’s social-emotional development and mental health, several established tools and resources can provide valuable guidance. The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) (Harms, Clifford, & Cryer, 2015) and the Preschool Mental Health Climate Scale (PMHCS) offer frameworks for assessing classroom environments and the emotional climate within early learning settings. Additionally, resources such as the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) Program, the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL), the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI), and ZERO TO THREE provide practical strategies, evidence-based practices, and training materials to strengthen resilience, promote positive social-emotional growth, and address the needs of young children, particularly in dynamic environments like military-connected early childhood programs. 

Additional Recommended Resources for Counselors Working in Early Childhood Settings 

  • Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) Program: A strength-based assessment and planning system designed to promote resilience in children aged 4 weeks to 6 years. https://centerforresilientchildren.org  
  • Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL):  Resources and training materials focused on promoting social-emotional development and school readiness in young children. http://csefel.vanderbilt.edu  
  • National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI): Support for the implementation of the Pyramid Model framework to promote young children’s social-emotional competence and address challenging behavior.  https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/   
  • ZERO TO THREE:  An organization dedicated to ensuring that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, with a wealth of mental health, trauma-informed care, and early development resources. https://www.zerotothree.org/ 

About the Author 

Mary Sol Weston, LCPC-S, is a dedicated Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a specialization in family life counseling, trauma-informed care, and early childhood mental health. Coming from four generations of active-duty Service members, country and community is woven into her identity. She honors the legacy of her father’s distinguished 33-year military career and takes pride in her son’s current service in the armed forces.



New Teen on the Block: Resources to Help Military Youth Acclimate After a PCS

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“Being a teenager is easy,” said no one, ever. Pressure to fit in, taking risks, and learning how to navigate the world are all cornerstones of normal teenage life. On top of these pressures, military teens have the added stress of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves.

When a PCS occurs, teens often feel sad leaving their friends and anxious about finding a new social group. While this can be an overwhelming and difficult time, Military and Family Life Counselors (MFLCs) can help ease the transition into a new place by inviting teens to join lunch groups, connecting them to peers with similar interests, and sharing local events. In addition to MFLC support, there are resources available for teens and parents as they acclimate to their environment.

Youth Resources

  • On-post youth centers offer military youth a fun, safe place with activities for a variety of interests. At these centers, teens can connect with their peers and support staff.
  • Military teen adventure camps, Operation Purple, the Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and 4-H all offer age-appropriate opportunities for military kids to join a social group, learn new skills, and build confidence.
  • School programs such as Student 2 Student can help teens feel supported and connected when starting a new school.

 Parent Resources

  • Military OneSource provides information on the Interstate Compact and the Exceptional Family Members Program, which can be useful to parents when they register their children in school and have concerns about loss of credit hours or setting up 504 or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) plans.
  • The Military Child Educational Coalition offers resources for families such as a PCS checklist and a military student consultant.

A PCS move during the teen years can be life-changing for military-connected kids. However, with the help of MFLC support and the many resources available to them, it can also be a fun, exciting, and positive experience.

Sources



Tips for Counseling Success with Military Children: Q&A with Paul Taraborelli LICSW, IMH-E®

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With approximately 1.7 million dependent military children across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, experts who support military children must understand the unique experiences and diverse needs that require a specialized counseling approach.

This topic will be the focus of the upcoming Magellan Federal webinar on Thursday, May 16, “Connecting with Military Children: Counseling Techniques for Success.” Expert panelists for this webinar will include:

  • Keionna Baker, LPC, LMHC, LCMHC, clinical project manager, Military & Family Life Counseling Program
  • Paul Taraborelli LICSW, IMH-E®, child youth behavioral director, Military & Family Life Counseling Program
  • Susan Trotman, LCSW, regional supervisor, Military & Family Life Counseling Program

The webinar will focus on trends, concerns, and intervention techniques that create a sense of connectedness and belonging for military-connected children and youth. To attend, register here.

In this Q&A, expert panelist Paul Taraborelli LICSW, IMH-E® shares a preview of information that will be shared in the webinar and why it is critical for counselors and other professionals who work with military children to invest time into enhancing their skills by attending.

Q: What are some key challenges that military children commonly face?

Paul Taraborelli: There are more than 1.7 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences because of their parents’ service. Military families move on average every two to three years, impacting military children through changing schools and support networks. Military families often experience changes in parents’ access in terms of regular face-to-face contact, changes in caregivers, and changes in family routines due to a military parent being called away from their family to serve and support their mission. To manage these changes during their overall growth and development as a child, military children often rely on resilience skills they develop over time. By acknowledging and celebrating the many unique aspects of military culture and being a military-connected child, we can help these children be equipped to emotionally adjust to challenges throughout their lives.

Q: How do these challenges impact their emotional well-being?

Taraborelli: Due to changes in locations, fluctuations in daily schedules and routines, and the temporary absence of a primary caregiver/parent can lead to short-term and possibly long-term effects on a child’s overall wellbeing and the development of age appropriate social emotional skills.

Q: What are ways that counselors can help military children navigate these transitions and build resilience?

Taraborelli:

Focus topics when working with military children to support and enhance social emotion skill development and reduce stress, including:

  • Resiliency skill-building
  • Development and use of age-appropriate problem-solving skills
  • Development of healthy relationships skill building, including ways to express and manage their emotions

Q: What are some common misconceptions or stereotypes about military children, and how can counselors work to challenge and overcome these misconceptions?

Taraborelli: A common misconception is that military children are used to moving a lot, changing schools, making new friends, and can adjust easily to changes in their lives. Counselors can engage military children in conversations about how they are coping with and adjusting to these changes both in the past and presently. Counselors can explore, identify, and develop age-appropriate coping skills while working with military-connected children. If possible, provide opportunities for peer support through group meetings and activities with other military-connected peers.

Another misconception is that due to attending different schools in different locations, military children are not as academically prepared as their nonmilitary peers. Counselors can explore with military children their learning journey and what they have learned both academically and outside of school during their life as a military child. Counselors can focus on, celebrate, and acknowledge the experiences they have had compared to their nonmilitary peers and how those experiences contribute to their overall sense of self and the skills they have developed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Q: Lastly, what advice would you give to counselors who are looking to enhance their skills and effectiveness in working with military children and their families?

Taraborelli: Make a conscious effort to better understand the unique aspects of military culture and what military children experience in their lives as military children. Use this knowledge to provide additional information and insight when assessing presenting issues or concerns a military child may be facing and develop tailored goals for counseling and support for the child.



Giving Tuesday (and every day) to Military and Federal Families

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Giving Tuesday is recognized as the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States, and has recently become a powerful global movement to inspire people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Here’s how Magellan Federal gives back to the community each and every day. Will you join us in building a better world?

Our Legacy of Service

One of the most unique aspects of Magellan Federal is our non-profit history. The story of our legacy dates back to 1879 through the establishment of a nonprofit organization to care for surviving spouses and children of fallen soldiers. Through the years, many families of fallen soldiers received support regarding military benefits, survivor benefits, and more through this non-profit.

In 2000 the Member Services department of this non-profit spun off and formed a for-profit corporation that embodied the values of giving back, service, and providing the best possible assistance to the military and their families. Armed Forces Services Corporation (AFSC) was born, formed by a Vietnam Veteran Service-Disabled service member whose mission was to expand services to warriors, veterans, and families. As a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), AFSC embedded a spirit of service throughout the organization by establishing a “double bottom line” mission to achieve not only business aims but also positive impact. For AFSC, success encompassed improving the lives of service members, veterans, and their families.

Growing Generosity

In 2016, AFSC joined Magellan Health, one of the nation’s largest healthcare companies, to create Magellan Federal, which strengthened the historical mission of AFSC’s service. Today, as Magellan Federal, we continue our legacy of service through our Community Partnership program, which formalizes and promotes activities of service and generosity. Through this program, we have streamlined our actions to support organizations that share our passion for giving back to the military and federal community.

Magellan Federal mobilizes and creates opportunities for employees to engage in volunteerism and philanthropic endeavors in the community. We give all Magellan employees eight hours of volunteer time off annually. As denoted in our values, we care deeply about each other, our customers and the communities we serve. Therefore, if there is something that needs to be done in any of these areas, we believe it is our job to do it. As it was in our inception, so it is today, if there is a need, we endeavor to serve until the need is met. You can view our #MFedCares team member stories on LinkedIn.

Call to Action

On Giving Tuesday—and every day—we invite you to join us in serving and giving back wherever and however you can. Whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community, no contribution is too small. It will always be our collective engagement to show up and serve that makes the most difference. As stated on GivingTuesday.org, here are some ways to serve:

  • Support your local social good organizations, mutual aid networks, and community organizers
  • Combat loneliness by reaching out to a relative, seniors, or veterans.
  • Do an act of kindness or help a neighbor
  • Identify your gifts, pick a cause that gets you fired up, and give back – not just for Giving Tuesday but every day.
  • 50 ideas for acts of kindness

Every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to contribute toward building the better world we all want to live in.



Suicide Prevention Strategies & Resources for Military Families: A Conversation with Magellan Federal’s Supervisor for the Adolescent Support and Counseling Service

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Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, observed annually in September, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of promoting mental health, offering support, and fostering hope to prevent the tragic loss of lives to suicide. Death by suicide among service members, veterans, and their families is becoming a national crisis. This population is at higher risk for common risk factors, including experiencing a mental health condition and having a physical health problem.

On Thursday, September 7th, Magellan Federal hosted a webinar, “Suicide Prevention Strategies and Resources for Military Families” focused on the prevalence of suicide in the military and the resources and strategies that can be used to reduce military suicides.

In this Q&A, webinar panelist Jason Kuttner, Magellan Federal’s supervisor for the Adolescent Support and Counseling Service, shares insight into his work with suicide prevention.

Q: What is your role with ASACS and how were you able to develop the Suicide Risk Assessment protocols?

Jason Kuttner: I have been the ASACS Program clinical supervisor for Hawaii since 2018. I’ve been with the program since 2012, first as a counselor in Japan and Germany, then as a clinical supervisor for Asia from 2015-2018. Prior to working with ASACS, I worked in crisis mental health services in Oregon where I had a variety of roles including conducting involuntary commitment investigations, providing emergent crisis counseling services, and helping train law enforcement professionals as part of the CIT (crisis intervention training) program. In these roles, I have worked with countless individuals in mental health crises. I’ve had extensive training in best practices for working with suicidal individuals and I’ve been able to learn from first-hand experience what works to de-escalate crises including implementing wrap-around support to keep people safe in the short and long term.

Q: When discussing suicide prevention how are the needs of a service member or a veteran differ from a civilian?

Kuttner: Suicide rates among veterans are significantly higher than in the civilian population. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans.[1] Reasons for this include high exposure to trauma, stress and burnout, isolation and loneliness, easy access to and familiarity with firearms, and difficulties integrating into civilian life. Active-duty service member suicide rates have been climbing in recent years and are now on par with the general population. One of the most significant challenges with service members is reducing the culture of stigma to access mental health services. There is a perception that accessing mental healthcare may jeopardize a service member’s career opportunities. All the branches of service are working to try to reduce this stigma and to make it easier for service members to seek help when they need it.

Q: In your webinar presentation you mention the need for more community-based prevention. What does community-based prevention look like and why is it needed?

Kuttner: Community-based prevention means simply helping and encouraging people to find ways to connect with others. The most effective of these are not framed as ‘suicide prevention’ per se but are ways for people to find others with common interests to engage with. This can include hiking, recreational sports leagues, motorcycling groups, service work and volunteering, music and arts, spiritual and religious organizations, and basically any kind of hobbies and interests that people can do with others. In person, social connection is an important antidote to mental distress which is often exacerbated by isolation. Increasingly people are connecting online through social media, multiplayer gaming, and other ways. While this seems like a good idea and can be a way to connect with like-minded people, research has been showing a correlation between increasing use of social media with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

Q: Where can a service member, a veteran, or their family go if they feel depressed or are having thoughts of committing suicide?

Kuttner: There is good help there! The 988 mental health crisis and suicide lifeline was rolled out a little over one year ago. The lifeline connects people to local mental health support services including veteran-specific services. You can call or text and help is prompt, confidential, and professional. It is so important to know that there is no shame in having depressed and even suicidal thoughts; these are very common, and most people will have times in their lives when they experience dark thoughts including morbid ruminations. We need to reinforce the message that none of us are alone. Talking to somebody about these thoughts actually helps. The more people who are trained as peer supports to be able to know how to listen and talk to a person who is depressed and possibly suicidal the better. Many communities have access to free suicide prevention training such as ASIST and SafeTalk which are intended to train regular, non-mental health professionals to know how to be there for family members, friends, colleagues, and others who may be experiencing mental distress.

For service members who are worried about the stigma of accessing mental health support, chaplains are professionally trained to provide help and can help service members navigate their thoughts and feelings and help them determine what the next steps are to keep them safe. Also, the MFLC program- military family life counselors- are licensed mental health counselors contracted to provide non-medical counseling to service members and their families. MFLCs provide experienced guidance to help people resolve issues and access additional support if necessary.

Q: What are some barriers that might prevent a service member or a veteran from seeking help?

Kuttner: The most significant barrier is stigma- being worried that asking for help is a sign of weakness or might jeopardize their career or status in some way. It is so important to recognize that life is so much more than this present moment. Most suicidal crises are centered on the view that the circumstances that have led to this moment are not resolvable without an immediate and permanent way out. Sadly, the consequences of suicide have a ripple effect that can profoundly affect hundreds or more people in a person’s life. The crisis that a person is experiencing in the present moment can be overcome and the first step in doing so is letting it out, talking to somebody, and letting another person in to help bring some light into the darkness.

Who should watch this webinar and what would they gain?

Kuttner: Anyone who is interested in learning more should attend. Suicide has impacted or will impact most people at some point in their lives. All of us have times of difficulty and have people in our lives who suffer mental distress. The more we can do to get the word out that help is available and there are things that all of us can do to help ourselves and others in our lives, the better.

If you missed this important webinar, click here to watch the replay: https://www.magellanfederal.com/whats-new/mfed-inform/suicide-prevention-strategies-and-resources-for-military-families/

[1] National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report,  September 2022



Q&A: How the Exceptional Family Member Program Supports Military Families with Special Needs

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The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) provides care and services for military families with special needs – whether that is an adult or child. The program has served over 55,000 Army EFMP family members across a total of 32 locations within and outside of the continental U.S. In this Q&A with Magellan Federal senior program analyst Brandon Greenwood, we learn more about the important work with special needs families.

Brandon Greenwood | Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Senior Program Analyst with Magellan Federal.How does EFMP work?

Greenwood: There are three components to EFMP: Medical, Human Resource Command HRC(Assignments), and Family Support. Magellan System Navigators fall under the Family Support umbrella where we offer non-clinical case management to our clients. We provide support to soldiers and their dependents to make their transition to and from their duty stations as seamless as possible all the while providing support groups, educational workshops, Individualized Education Plans (IEP) assistance, and bringing exciting and inclusive special events to our population.

What are System Navigators?

Greenwood: System Navigators take the guesswork out of locating services in a brand-new environment for our clients, by forming relationships with community partners and service providers and connecting them to our service members and their families.

Clients are encouraged to collaborate with their Systems Navigator (SN) to create a service plan so that their individual goals are taken into account. A goal for our SNs is for them to empower our families to be the best advocate for their Exceptional Family Members as they can. We want to equip them with as many tools and as much knowledge about EFMP as possible so when they relocate, they are better prepared and informed for what may come.

How does this help families with children?

Greenwood: Our Systems Navigators also assist families with a dependent who has a special educational need with their Individualized Education Plans. SNs are trained in Wrightslaw Special Education and are able to educate parents and caregivers about their child’s IEP, point out inconsistencies, correct language that may not be beneficial to the child, and also attend the meeting with the family in a support role.

Wrightslaw is a training course that provides the knowledge build-up for Special Education Law and Advocacy.  It helps the System Navigator to better understand the challenges our EFMP families experience each day in the school system.

Our SNs play a large role in the planning and execution of special events. There are several events across all our military bases, however, most of those events aren’t inclusive for those with special needs. The EFMP family support program, along with the help of our SNs, create themed special events that are sensory-friendly and created with our EFMP families in mind. These events have become so popular that many sites have made them open to the entire base.

How can someone get connected to the EFMP?

Greenwood: To learn more about EFMP and the support available to your family, reach out to your local EFMP Family Support office. EFMP Family Support providers play a critical role in providing information, referral, family needs assessments, and family service plans to help you achieve the goals that are unique to your family.

Source: MilitaryOneSource



Military Spouse Appreciation Month: Empowering Military Spouses in the Workforce

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Hard work, dedication, love, and resilience weave together an extraordinary tapestry that is the military spouse. We are strong, independent women and men fiercely supportive of each other. We care wholeheartedly about all associated with the military and work tirelessly to support those who support us through serving our country.

Military Spouse Appreciation Month recognizes the spouse’s contributions to the military and the community. Those in the military took an oath to serve our country and receive medals, salutes, and commendations for their commitment. The sacrifices of the families, while not as evident, should also be applauded and recognized for their commitment to the service of our country through their support of the service member. Often these sacrifices go unnoticed and can create challenges, such as maintaining a job or career.

The Struggle of Finding Employment as a Military Spouse

On many military installations, spouses volunteer thousands of hours for the cause of the community and the military services. One can find a spouse volunteering at thrift stores, schools, Community Action Centers, Military Spouse Clubs, and the American Red Cross, to name a few. The spouse’s work is visible and needed. When the service member knows that the family is stable and receiving the required support within the community, they can focus on serving their mission without hesitation.

Along with the usual marital stresses, most non-military spouses are near support systems of family, lifelong friends, and resources known to them. We learn to make friends quickly, and those people become our family. The resentment and loneliness this lifestyle brings can be hard to understand. The sacrifice, commitment, and the stress of many domestic roles can be lonely and isolating at times. We can sometimes lose our identity – known only as someone’s spouse or someone’s parent. Many opportunities present themselves, such as worldwide travel, educational benefits, and excellent schools, but with these opportunities there can be just as many, if not more, sacrifices.

So much of our military lifestyle is beyond our control. Affordable childcare options are a major concern for military spouses. It is a primary family expense and the main reason many spouses choose not to work outside the home. At one point in my career, I worked 40 hours a week and cleared less than $600 monthly after childcare expenses, transportation, lunch, hair, nails, etc. I was exhausted and felt enormous guilt for allowing my children to be cared for by strangers while I earned a mere pittance.

Military spouses sometimes “Suffer in Silence,” fearing that speaking up may impact our service member’s career.

Qualities of a Military Spouse

We cover family milestones, holidays, and events alone, often finding ways to make up for the missing service member. In many cases, giving birth is a prime example. Thanks to my husband’s battalion chaplain (and his wife who made him do it), Gary was able to sneak away for a couple of hours (in full camouflage paint and an odor to match!) from field exercises to visit our newborn son and me in the neonatal intensive care unit in Fayetteville, NC.

Charlene Austin, the wife of Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin, has always been a working military spouse. She gave me this advice years ago when I became despondent during my job search. “This [military] experience is guaranteed to be like no other. Remain open to options and alternatives. Grow to be happy with yourself and work to realize your needs and goals.” That is good advice, but so much easier said than done.

Military spouses often sacrifice a stable career with their active-duty partner. The constant moving makes it hard to have career progression since you are not in any position long enough to have forward momentum. For example, my dear friend, Ivy, has multiple graduate degrees. Yet, she decided not to work for nearly twenty years because it was difficult to secure positions with growth and one that would work with her schedule of raising children and supporting her military service member.

Military spouses are adaptable, flexible, punctual finance managers, organizational managers, schedule managers, and residential physician assistants. They serve as Girl Scout leaders, Boy Scout leaders, piano teachers, sports coaches, and tutors. We are located in an area for 12-36 months. Within the first two weeks of arrival, the spouse has unpacked and arranged the house, registered students in new schools (who is my emergency contact when I don’t know anyone?!), obtained new doctors and a dentist, scheduled sporting activities and other extra-curriculum activities, and planned the summer vacation with fun activities.

Why Companies Should Hire Military Spouses

Securing positions and establishing a career have changed within the last 10 years for military spouses; however, it can sometimes still be difficult for a spouse to secure a position if they are not a teacher or working within the medical field. Many employers hesitate to hire a military spouse because they focused on the spouse leaving and not the skills the person was contributing to the overall mission.

An organization would benefit from having a military spouse who can work independently and collaboratively to complete tasks without supervision. A military spouse has likely managed a household and children and settled conflicts—from submitting damage claims to advocating for the best classes for their child. Military spouses are often highly educated and experienced; therefore, they meet the requirements for many positions. They should not be discounted simply because they may be at a temporary station. There are a lot of remote work options these days that may result in continuity beyond service location.

Carolyn Shelton, the spouse of General Hugh Shelton, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shared an interesting story concerning her job search in the Washington, DC, area. She was submitting applications but had very little previous employment. She added her volunteer experience as a military spouse instead. A hiring manager reviewed her application and said, “Anyone who would volunteer this much at no pay has to be reliable. You’re hired!” Never discount the strength of your volunteer experience. You gain marketable skills needed in the business community.

When I met Carolyn, she had moved 24 times in 29 years. She humorously described her first experience as a military spouse (although I am sure humorously was not how she would have described it then).  They arrived at Ft. Benning, Georgia, where her husband was to attend Ranger School. He told her, “I’m going to sign in with the unit, then I’ll be back.” He didn’t make it back for two days! This happens more often than we care to admit.

It is past time that companies provide childcare assistance or subsidies. A flexible spending account should be one of many benefits companies offer employees. I hope the future holds affordable options for all companies that will foster a healthier work-life balance.

Companies like Magellan Federal have already taken giant steps in supporting military spouses in the workplace. Our Talent Acquisition team is superb at keeping the company recognized as a Military Friendly Top 10 Spouse Employer. Our President and CEO, Anna Sever, is the spouse of an active-duty military service member. I do not doubt that under her leadership, we will continue to build on the foundation the company was founded on – care for surviving spouses of the fallen. I applaud Magellan Federal for the emphasis placed on mental health and access to resources.

I encourage other corporations to provide more opportunities for military spouses. Hire them because they get the job done and allow them to manage at the highest positions!