Given the growing uncertainty around career opportunities and/or job security in federal employment, several organizations supporting military spouses are stepping up with timely, tailored resources. These offerings are designed to address the unique challenges military spouses face. This blog provides the latest resources to consider adding to your support toolkit.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024), the cost of food at home increased 6.1% from 2022 to 2023. A military family’s grocery spending will depend on many factors, including where they shop, what they buy, and how many people are being fed. Service providers can help families identify cost-saving strategies that they can implement and how certain grocery shopping habits can help bolster financial and nutritional fitness.
Bullying is a prevailing issue in today’s schools and leads to negative outcomes for both victims of bullying and perpetrators of bullying (Gaffney et al., 2021). Victims are likely to have mental health concerns, lower self-esteem, suicide ideation, and substance abuse issues, while perpetrators are likely to have a criminal record, use drugs, and engage in violent behavior (Gaffney et al., 2021).
This blog post discusses how social resources boost mental wellness for military service member and their relationships.
Caregiving is a complex and often demanding responsibility. While many envision a spouse caring for their partner, caregivers come from diverse backgrounds and relationships, including friends, distant family members, or professional support networks.
Military spouses face many challenges in obtaining and maintaining full- and part-time employment. The federal government is committed to helping military spouses find rewarding careers.
Food insecurity is a global health problem affecting millions of people around the world. About 9.2% of the global population experienced hunger in 2022 (World Health Organization[WHO], 2023) and close to half of all deaths of children below the age of 5 years globally are related to undernutrition (WHO, 2024).
Many researchers have looked at the connection between financial attitudes and relationship health. While these findings are well-documented in civilian populations, less is known about how financial dynamics play out in the military family context. Learn about recent research exploring the connection between financial attitudes, financial management, and relationship satisfaction in military couples.
Erikson (1968) describes the period of adolescence as one that is based on identity formation, with adolescents breaking away from parental and societal expectations as they explore different ideas, values, behaviors, and attitudes until they find what resonates with them. Zohar et al. (2018) note that adolescence is a period of instability, with an adolescent’s personality and identity changing substantially over time.
Supporting the mental well-being of youth and teens is a top priority for many mental health professionals today. The age group of 12-18 year olds are developing the social and emotional habits that will lead them into adulthood. With school transitions, new friend groups, and opportunities, many are navigating and handling stress in new ways, for the first time. Youth in military families have added pressures to their lives that are unique, from parental deployments to frequent family moves. With all this considered, it is vitally important to consider and be familiar with assessing for suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors when working with youth clients.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2023-48770-41333.
© 2025 OneOp. All rights reserved.
