Assessing the needs of military-connected children and resources to address those needs

Abstract: There is a growing concern around the mental and behavioral health of children and youth as such conditions as anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorders affect almost one in five children and youth ages 3 to 17. The coronavirus pandemic brought many challenges: Children missed years of in-person schooling and socialization, experienced increased social isolation, and developed an overreliance on technology and social media to stay connected, entertained, and participate in online schooling. Collectively, studies suggest that children and youth have experienced, and will continue to experience, a wide variety of mental and behavioral health concerns that can affect their academic performance, social interactions, well-being, and overall quality of life. In addition to the general stresses and strains in the lives of children and youth, military-connected children and youth face distinct challenges—such as family separation and frequent moves—that can directly or indirectly affect children’s mental health and exacerbate an already stressful time in their development. To help inform an ongoing commitment to military-connected children and youth, the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy asked RAND to assess the needs of military-connected children in the context of military child development centers, military youth programs, and schools with a significant military child population. This report provides findings from this mental and behavioral health needs assessment.