Mental Health Challenges of Military Children

    A veteran who has returned from Iraq suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder finally sought professional help when he saw the look of fear on the faces of his kids reacting to his uncontrollable rage. Mental health problems trickle down through military families and who looks out for the well-being of the kids? The defense department reports that the number of military children seeking help for mental health issues has doubled since the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003, rising from one million to two million. Our guests know about the challenges military children face and what helps them cope. DR. BARBARA VAN DAHLEN is the president and founder of Give an Hour, an organization that provides free mental health services to U.S. military personnel and families. DR. MICHELLE SHERMAN is a psychologist at the VA and at the University of Oklahoma Medical School. Listen to the mp3

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal