National Military Appreciation Month: Deployment Services

Written by: Carly Flumer, Volunteer

As May is National Military Appreciation Month, we will focus a series of blogs on our Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program.

Imagine being away from your family for months, or even years, only to come back and not recognize anything. You feel lost in a place which was all too familiar not long ago. What kinds of thoughts would be running through your mind? What kinds of feelings would you want to express? The American Red Cross recognizes that coming home from deployment is one of the most difficult transitions one can make, and we look to make it easier by providing Reconnection Workshops to military members and their families.

These workshops are not only free and confidential, but they build and enhance lasting, positive relationships with those in the community. We realize that some may be scared to share their experiences, while others may be more outspoken; therefore, discussions can be held one-on-one or in groups, depending on preference. All members of every branch of the Armed Forces are welcome to participate, including those in the Reserve, National Guard, active duty members, veterans, and their families.

Adults may choose from five different topics, including:

• Enhancing skills to develop clear communication
• Recognizing and discussing stress, trauma, and other war-related concerns
• Managing signs and symptoms of depression and learning when to seek help
• Reconnecting with children by exploring family dynamics and deployment issues
•  Exploring anger and other intense emotions in different situations

Children and teens may choose from two different topics, including:

• The Roger That! Communication workshop, which focuses on developing and refining listening and communication skills
• The Operation 10-4: Confident Coping workshop, which focuses on recognizing and enhancing strengths to help manage distressing situations

To register for a workshop, go to: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/deployment-services/register-reconnection-workshops.