Resources for children of defence, veteran and first responder families

Defence, veteran and first responder families can be faced with unique experiences that can impact on the health and wellbeing of all family members including children.

Research in the mental health and wellbeing of Vietnam veteran’s children reveal suicide in children of veterans is three times higher than the general population.1 Similar research has shown that children from service families are more likely to struggle with mental health issues and less likely to thrive in educational settings than their civilian peers.

To address the challenges facing service families, a range of resources have been developed through the Child and Family Resilience Programs, to proactively support the multifaceted aspects of mental health and suicide prevention by including a range of topics, delivered in targeted storybooks and modules to address specific issues these families face. The resources are free, accessible online, and are developed on the evidence base and use a strength-based approach.

Examples of some of the resources include storybooks, which create a springboard for open dialogue between the child and their parent, support worker, or educator. These lived-experience narratives provide a framework for discussing the themes presented in the story, then lead to an opportunity to discuss the child’s feelings and responses. These conversations are supported with downloadable puppets and storytelling activities to allow children to act out what is happening in the story and at home. This helps them practice their emotions in a safe way and express how they are feeling.

The modules cover topics to help build the knowledge and confidence of the parents, support workers and educators so they understand the impacts of service family life. They offer practical strategies to support children using a strengths-based approach.