Its Never Too Late

     "In fact, the number of U.S. soldiers who have died by their own hand is now estimated to be greater than the number (6,460) who have died in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq." This wide range of suicides is becoming a crisis, no in fact an epidemic, that writer Anthony Swofford writes in his article for The Daily Beast. Swofford explains when soldiers return home they may deal with post-dramatic stress. Some may feel isolated and alone even when they have family all around them. Even once back home many active duty may have a hard time transitioning from what and where they have been living for months. Dr. Jonathan Shay gives insight on how multiple deployments may cause an active duty member to question what is right and wrong and who they will be able to trust. 

         How can we stop this epidemic and help veterans and soldiers alike to make them realize that they are not alone? That is where The Soldiers Project presents itself. This project is a private nonprofit organization that has volunteer licensed mental health professionals. The Soldiers Project helps military members and their loved ones with resources that will answer their pressing questions. With the programs psychotherapy help many military members will be able to fight the urge of becoming just another statistic in a ongoing epidemic. This one small step can make military families realize that they will never be alone and its never too late. 

http://www.thesoldiersproject.org/getting-help/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/05/20/anthony-swofford-on-the-epidemic-of-military-suicides.html

Sesame Street 1,2,3

          Can world renounced famous furry characters answer questions that some parents simply don't know how to answer about military life? Many children have a parent that is in the military. In result of these many kids Sesame Street decided to make a workshop just for them. "This critical outreach tool helped military families and their young children cope with the challenges of deployment and build resilience in times of separation and change." This kid friendly TLC, Talk Listen and Connect gives families information through the voices of their favorite characters.
       Since 2006, this program has been very influential and has been continuing to expand. Through this project preschool and school age kids have the ability to have "online space that provides new ways to express themselves, communicate within their own family networks, and stay connected with loved ones." Our furry friends have made for an excellent tool for all military families to have their questions answered in a fun but informational way. 
         
http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/tlc