Red flags
While most of the issues you and your partner will face post-deployment are normal and will resolve over time, it is important to be on the lookout for “red flag” issues that, when experienced by either you or your partner, warrant closer attention and action.
- A high level of substance abuse that impacts daily life
- Thoughts of suicide or homicide
- Reckless behavior
- Violence or aggression against children, partners or others
- Severe or prolonged changes in sleep and appetite
Getting support
Remember that you are not alone and you do not have to face these struggles on your own. Talking with a professional can help if you or someone you love is having trouble adjusting to home life after deployment. Problems may heal on their own, but the process will usually be faster with appropriate treatment. This is especially true in cases of combat stress or if a traumatic brain injury is involved. There is no need to suffer in silence when appropriate treatment can help you and your partner get back on track.
Many support and counseling services are available in your community, including family support groups, counselors, and medical professionals. You can speak confidentially with a chaplain or therapist at a local VA clinic or VA center. Services are also available online, through the VA (www.seamlesstransition.va.gov), through a Vet Center (www.va.gov/rcs/index.htm) or through Military OneSource, a comprehensive resource for all branches of the military (www.militaryonesource.com). MilitaryOneSource can help you obtain a referral to a specialist in your community.
For more supportive resources, refer to Resources and Community Referrals chapters of this guide.
REMEMBER:
If you think someone in your family needs help, don’t hesitate.
Common post-deployment reactions
Strategies for strengthening your partnership
Strategies for the returning soldier
