Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
CSTS | Department of Psychiatry | Uniformed Services University | 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 | www.CSTSonline.org

Guidelines for Helping Your Family
After Combat Injury
Your military loved one has been
to your family and children. Due toCombat injury is a life-changing event
wounded and suddenly your world
normal distress and anxiety, there
has been turned upside down. Combat
may be times when you will not hear,that impacts a family’s routines and its
injury is a life-changing event that
understand, or accept all that you willsense of safety and wholeness.
be told.
impacts a family’s routines and its
Do not be shy about writing things
sense of safety and wholeness. Combat
injury especially affects children of all
down or having an important person
in your life accompany you and take notes for you. Whenages. Children worry about the effect of the injury on theirwounded parent; how that injury will change their bondyou have questions or forget important information ask
doctors and healthcare professionals to re-explain or repeat
with that parent and the parents’ relationship with eachother. Often, caring adults do not know how to speak tothemselves so you can better understand the information
they have provided. Good communication between you andchildren about the injury and its impact on their family,
your spouse’s medical team and between you, your spouse,or how much and what kind of information should be
your family, and your children is essential for helping you
communicated.
cope and make important decisions related to the care of
At this time, many resources of care and support will
your injured loved one and to the care of your family.
be extended to your injured service member, to you andPrinciples of Caring for our Nation’s Combat Injured Families and Children
Despite the uniqueness of your family’s situation andyour loved one’s combat injury, there are certain principles
that should inform the care you receive. Understanding
these principles of care can assist you in recognizing what
you require and in seeking appropriate services to support
your family’s long-term health and wellbeing. Care andservices should be delivered in a manner which:■ Provides a sense of safety, comfort, information,practical assistance, and connection to appropriate
community resources that can foster your family’s
healthy recovery. While the major goal of the healthcare facility is to provide treatment to your loved one,
there will be people on staff who can assist in solving
some of your family’s practical needs.

■ Is family focused and understands that you, your family,

and your children are all profoundly affected by theinjury. Treatment should help relieve family distress,
support ability to be available to your children during
the stress of injury recovery, and help guide your efforts
in communicating with your children about the injury.
■ Reinforces your family’s strengths and resilience

while understanding that each family may respond ina different way to the challenges it faces. Healthcare
professionals must be responsive to the unique impactof the injury on your family and provide appropriate
help and support.

■ Is sensitive to the unique responses of children ofvarying age and gender, and recognizes that distress,
care needs, and communication ability will vary
according to the age of your child or children.

■ Is tailored to your family’s changing needs throughoutContinued

what may be a long course of treatment andrehabilitation; anticipating future needs as the recovery
process unfolds, including discharge and transition to a
new community or new way-of-life.
■ Encourages a partnership and bringing together ofservices between your family, treatment providers (bothmilitary and civilian), and community services. Quality
care reaches across traditional professional boundaries
and levels of care.

■ Respects your family’s unique background including

culture, language, composition, ethnicity, religion andthe traditions of military families.

■ Helps your family access care and addresses any barriers

to service (unnecessary roadblocks that get in the wayof your good care), which can complicate the healthy
recovery of your loved one and family members. Thesebarriers may include a family member’s difficulty inaccessing health care or community services, theirreluctance to seek needed help, or a community’s lackof awareness or understanding of the needs of combat
injured families.

■ Is informed by knowledgeable service providers,

professionals, organizations, and communities that haveaccess to and provide quality educational materials toaddress the challenges that confront combat injured
families.

Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Department of Psychiatry
Uniformed Services University
4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799
www.CSTSonline.org