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Peer-focused journal and facilitators guide support connection, empowerment for youth supporting the care of military service members and Veterans
San Diego, CA–PsychArmor’s new Hidden Helpers Facilitators Guide and Interactive Journal is being piloted to youth living in a caregiving home at the Unified Behavioral Health Center for Military, Veterans, and Their Families. Developed as part of our partnership with the Hidden Helpers Coalition and with funding from Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), the content is designed to increase peer support among military-connected caregiving youth and reduce social isolation.
Approximately 2.3 million children under the age of 18 live with a Veteran who is disabled, and are often tasked with additional responsibilities in their military caregiving home lives. Many Hidden Helpers rise to the challenge of helping out more often at home, however, this does not go without consequence. Research has found that in order to combat the negative outcomes associated with growing up in a military caregiving home, children need more support to navigate their experiences as Hidden Helpers. This guide aims to facilitate an open conversation with the caregiving youth who are impacted by or support the care of a wounded, ill or aging service member or Veteran. Program goals are twofold: 1) help participants build connections within their hidden helpers community and 2) empower participants to successfully interact with non-caregiving youth.
Spearheaded by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the The Hidden Helpers initiative engages multiple stakeholders and partners to create supportive programming for and bring awareness to the 2.3 million children of wounded, ill or injured service members or Veterans. For more information on the Hidden Helpers Coalition, please read the White House Press release.
WWP will offer the resources to all team members and partners. PsychArmor will serve as a force multiplier by offering this best-practice curriculum through multiple networks including healthcare provider training and military/Veteran programs.
Our partner, WWP is committed to serving the post-9/11 generation and all future generations of injured service members,ensuring they get the care, attention, and support they deserve. WWP also serves the family members and caregivers who are an integral part of the warrior’s recovery and transition back into civilian life. WWP provides free life-changing programs and services in mental and brain health, career counseling, physical health and wellness, connection and long-term rehabilitative care. The Veterans charity has more than 700 teammates in offices around the country who support post-9/11 wounded warriors and their families.
PsychArmor is a leading national nonprofit and preferred training provider which specializes in military cultural awareness and competency. Its offerings include online courses, curricula, podcasts, webinars, live speaking engagements, and social media.
“At PsychArmor, we know that education leads to transformation,” says PsychArmor CEO Dr. Tina Atherall. “We value our partnership with Wounded Warrior Project and their commitment to offering critical training to wounded Veterans and the communities that support them.”
About Wounded Warrior Project®
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.
About PsychArmor
PsychArmor is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation providing education and support to individuals and organizations that work with, live with, and care for American service members, Veterans, and their families. For more information about PsychArmor, contact Carole Turner, Strategic Communications, PsychArmor, at cturner@psycharmor.org.
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