Recently, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I had the chance to sit down with two amazing colleagues who serve as school counselors. We talked about the many ways they support students and families, not just during May, but throughout the school year. Our conversation highlighted how deeply they care about encouraging children to have a voice, fostering relationships, and creating safe, supportive environments for all kids, especially those facing unique circumstances like military-connected students. We also discussed how they help students navigate complex topics like grief, as well as how they support those dealing with anxiety related to things like tests, social situations, or the challenges of puberty. Their stories were a powerful reminder of the meaningful impact school counselors make every single day.
Understanding the Needs of Military-Connected Students
In addition to the stressors all students encounter, military-connected children face unique challenges throughout their educational journey. Frequent relocations, extended parental deployments, and transitions between different school systems can significantly impact their academic performance, emotional well-being, and social development.
- Frequent School Transitions: Military-connected children change schools six to nine times from kindergarten through high school, about three times more than their civilian peers. These moves can disrupt learning and emotional well-being. In Partners in PROMISE’s 2022 Survey Results, it was reported that for students with special needs, delays in accessing services, averaging 4.25 months after each move, can further impact their education.
- Parental Deployment Stress: Extended absences of a parent due to deployment can cause anxiety, sadness, and behavioral changes. Children may also take on added responsibilities at home.
- Adjustment Difficulties: New schools often mean leaving friends, familiar teachers, and established support systems. This can result in social isolation or difficulty adjusting to new academic expectations.
- Reintegration Challenges: When a parent returns from deployment, especially if affected by injury or trauma, students may struggle with the transition back to family normalcy.
How School Counselors Can Support Military-Connected Children
School counselors are in a critical position to support military-connected students and help them thrive, despite the uncertainties and pressures of military life. These professionals are essential in creating a safe and supportive school environment for military-connected students. Here are several ways they can assist:
- Identifying Military-Connected Students: Counselors can collaborate with school administrators to include military-connected status in enrollment forms and conduct welcome interviews. Knowing this background allows counselors and other school professionals to be prepared and provide tailored support to the student.
- Creating a Welcoming Environment: A welcoming school culture helps students adjust quickly. Counselors can establish peer mentorship programs where new students are paired with trained peers to show them around and introduce them to others. Creating new student groups can also provide further support and foster meaningful connections. Hosting newcomer lunches, sometimes called lunch bunches, or military family appreciation events also helps students feel acknowledged, valued, and integrated into the school community.
- Providing Social-Emotional Support: Counselors can assist students with deployment-related stress, grief, anxiety, and adjustment issues. They also help students cope with the emotional challenges that arise when friends move—an experience common for military-connected children. By providing a safe space for students to express their feelings and process the loss of friendships, counselors can support them through the emotional challenges of saying goodbye. Additionally, support groups for military-connected students can foster a sense of community and allow children to share experiences with peers who truly understand their situation.
- Family Collaboration: Counselors can build strong partnerships with military families by offering regular check-ins, open communication, and referrals to community or military resources to ensure families feel supported. Additionally, counselors can host parent workshops and “Coffee with Counselors” sessions, send monthly newsletters, and hold meetings during parent conferences to foster deeper connections and provide valuable resources to military families. These opportunities help families stay informed, involved, and connected to the school community.
- Collaborating with Parents and Gaining Schools During a PCS: Before the move, counselors can help students understand what to expect at their new school, including differences in curriculum, rules, and cultural environment. This can help reduce anxiety and make the new school feel more familiar when they arrive. In addition, parents and counselors can work together to ensure a smooth transition by reaching out to the gaining school, sharing important information about the student’s progress, challenges, and any accommodations or support that have been implemented. This communication helps the new school understand the child’s needs and ensures academic and emotional support continuity.
- Professional Development and Awareness: Counselors can lead training sessions for teachers and staff on the challenges faced by military-connected students and how best to support them. Promoting awareness across the school community helps ensure all staff members are empathetic and responsive to these students’ needs.
Beyond Mental Health Month: Lasting Support for Military-Connected Students
As we recognize the importance of mental health this month, it’s clear that school counselors play a crucial role in supporting the well-being and success of all students, especially those from military families. Their ongoing commitment to understanding, guiding, and advocating for military-connected children helps ease transitions, strengthen emotional well-being, and create a sense of belonging in the school community. By working together, educators, families, and counselors can ensure that every child, regardless of background, feels seen, heard, supported, and empowered throughout the year.
About the Author: Carla Wyrsch
Carla Wyrsch is the spouse of a retired United States Marine and mother of two. She has devoted her career to educating and advocating for children with disABILITIES. Her experience spans a variety of settings, including residential treatment facilities, military bases, public schools, virtual learning, and the Lerner School for Autism at the Cleveland Clinic. She is currently a special education teacher for her local school district. In addition to being an educator, Carla enjoys volunteering with Best Buddies of Greater Memphis, the Organization for Autism Research, and Partners in PROMISE as a content creator and advisory board member.
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