NATIONAL GUARD February 2024

HOLISTIC WELLNESS CHALLENGE

A healthy family relationship begins with 

a healthy partner relationship. Most 

partners do not start out violent. Yet, 

there may be early clues that indicate 

the long-term health of your union. It 

is important to know which behaviors 

protect against harm and which ones 

enhance risk or predict violence.4

Form a stable family foundation with 

a partner that exhibits protective 

behaviors. If your partner displays 

risky behaviors help is available. 

• Protective: Your partner values 

your abilities and opinions, and 

respects boundaries.

• Risky: Your partner tries to change 

you, is unsupportive, or criticizes you. 

Military families are no strangers to 

adversity (e.g., time apart, financial 

stress). How your family responds 

to those challenges impacts your 

readiness. Follow these tips to 

strengthen the bonds that can help you 

overcome obstacles and avoid harm.

• Create connection: Stay 

emotionally engaged, even when 

physically apart.

• Foster flexibility: Be willing to adapt.

• Highlight hope: Cultivate optimism.

• Express emotion: Show empathy.

• Promote problem-solving: Work 

together to find common ground.

• Remain reliable: Keep promises.

• Stay safe: Secure firearms and 

avoid substance abuse.

FOCUS ON THE 

FOUNDATION

STRENGTHEN 

FAMILY TIES

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

You are not alone.

National Domestic Violence 

Hotline advocates are available 

24/7/365.

Call: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Text: “START” to 88788

Chat: www.thehotline.org

CONTACT US

For more information on how to enhance family relationships, email us at: 

ng.ncr.ngb-arng.list.j1-m-division@army.mil

CHALLENGE your Service members and yourself to adopt at least 

one of the recommended resources to strengthen family relationships.

FACTS & FIGURES: DID YOU KNOW?

• The support of a stable family acts as a protective factor that helps 

mitigate risk and promote well-being. The absence of a strong family unit can 

leave individuals vulnerable to harm.

• Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate 

partner in the U.S.1

• Intimate relationship problems were reported in 40% of suicides and 

33% of attempts in the National Guard.2

• Safely storing firearms at home can protect family members.

• Having access to a firearm in the home increases suicide risk by four to 

six times for all household members.3

©Performance and 

Sleep

aBlood Pressure, Heart 

Rate, and Stroke Risk

Physical

©Security and Coping 

Skills

aRisk Factors (Drug, 

Alcohol, Firearms)

©Mood and 

Concentration

aDepression and 

Suicidal Behavior

Mental

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS BUILD RESILIENCE

Social
The contents of this document are for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

REFERENCES:

1. Domestic Violence Statistics. National Domestic Violence Hotline. www.thehotline.org

2. Annual Report on Suicide in the Military, CY2022 www.dspo.mil 

3. Prevention of Suicide by Firearm: A Communication Guide for Military Leaders and Support Providers. www.dspo.mil

4. The Predictive Validity of Intimate Partner Violence Warning Signs. https://journals.sagepub.com/

doi/10.1177/19485506231209076

SPOTLIGHT: STAR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS (SBHP)

• SBHP is a national program that trains civilian providers to better understand and treat National Guard members and 

their families.

• Military-aware providers are available in-person and online to address relationship issues, domestic violence, and other 

concerns such as anger and anxiety.

• For more information, or to access the SBHP registry to find a trained provider, go to www.starproviders.org.

RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND

National Guard’s Military Family Readiness staff are available to connect Service members and their families to 

community resources. For more information, email: ng.ncr.ngb-arng.list.j1-m-division@army.mil

Military OneSource provides podcasts, webinars, online tools, counseling, and other resources to keep family 

relationships strong. www.militaryonesource.mil/resources/millife-guides/keeping-your-relationship-strong

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP delivers evidence-based resources to optimize family 

relationships. www.hprc-online.org/social-fitness/family-optimization

Cohen Veterans Network offers in-person and online support to Service members and their families to assist with 

marriage counseling, relationships counseling, and children’s behavioral issues. www.cohenveteransnetowrk.org

What does it mean?

• Hallmarks of a healthy relationship are connection, trust, respect, 

communication, honesty, equality, boundaries, and consent. 

Why does it matter?

• Healthy relationships form a protective barrier that enhance 

copings skills and lower the likelihood of experiencing harm.

What can you do?

• Invest time and energy in healthy relationships. 

• Reach out to your Military Family Readiness staff to tap into local 

programs and resources that can help strengthen your family ties.

• Take a courageous step and sign up for relationship counseling 

through Military OneSource or Cohens Veterans Network. 

• Protect your loved ones by safely storing personally owned 

firearms in your home. 

• Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline if you experience 

abuse or your partner exhibits risky behaviors. 

• Check on Service members who are having a tough time at home 

and let them know they are not alone.

FORTIFYING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The National Guard (NG) recognizes that 

for military families to be healthy, they 

must be drug free. That is why we are 

participating once again in the Red Ribbon 

anti-drug campaign. 

The NG is seeking nominations for the 

Red Ribbon Awards to acknowledge Drug 

Demand Reduction Programs that promote 

community drug prevention efforts. 

Nominations are due by MAY 31. Winners 

will be recognized during DoD’s Red 

Ribbon Week Awards Ceremony on OCT 17, 

at the Pentagon. 

For more information, email: ng.ncr.ngb.

mbx.resiliency-branch@army.mil