Supporting the Mental Health of Kids from Military Families

Some 1.6 million military-connected children live in the United States, and they face unique challenges: parent deployments, family relocations, sudden transitions.

The Kids Mental Health Foundation™, with support from Bread Financial, has released a new gap analysis study and found that many children in military families don’t have the mental health support they need. The foundation has also created new resources for teachers, coaches, and anyone else, that offer guidance on how military life affects mental health and provide strategies to help kids from military families build wellness skills.

Whitney Raglin Bignall, PhD, associate clinical director of The Kids Mental Health Foundation and pediatric psychologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Ralph Andretta, president and CEO of Bread Financial, helped make the new analysis and resources possible.

They recently answered some questions from The Collaboratory about these efforts.

Why did The Kids Mental Health Foundation decide to focus on military families?

Dr. Whitney Raglin Bignall, The Kids Mental Health Foundation: Our mission is to create free resources for all families. We know that military-connected children face many challenges and are also very resilient. We wanted to help raise awareness about this group of kids. They have some mental health challenges that often go unrecognized, ignored or dismissed. I would also say even most of us have no idea what their lives are like and how to help them. With Bread’s generous gift, we were able to explore how we could create unique resources for this population.

What do you hope both military families and others learn from this?

Dr. Raglin Bignall: We know there’s this perception in the military that you have to be tough, and we know there’s a stigma about mental health. But we want kids to know that it’s OK to not be OK and there are tools and resources to learn to help.  

We want families to know that there are people who want to support them and be a part of their community. Most importantly, we want all of us – teachers, neighbors, friends and family – to realize that military-connected kids have some unique mental health challenges and that all of us can play a role in helping. We can help by connecting with them, expressing an interest in them, and providing them with resources in their local community. We all have a role to play.

What surprised you about what you found? 

Dr. Raglin Bignall: More than 80% of military-connected children do NOT go to a school on a military base. I really expected that number to be much lower. But what that means is that teachers across the country may have military-connected students in their classroom and may not realize it. They may not be aware of some of the unique struggles that military kids have. And while we found some materials for military families, there are a lot fewer resources for educators and health providers. That was a gap we found in our reviews. We’re now excited to work on lessons that educators can use to help their classroom be more welcoming and understanding about military-connected students.   

Why is it important that companies, like Bread Financial, are interested in this kind of research?

Dr. Raglin Bignall: Companies across the U.S. employ veterans and people in the military reserves. And when companies support the people that they work with and their entire family, it has a big impact. It’s so wonderful that Bread Financial wanted to significantly contribute to the health and wellness of those serving, whether active duty, in the reserves or veterans. By helping military-connected children grow their mental wellness, Bread is helping future generations.

Why is Bread Financial partnering with the Kids Mental Health Foundation?

Ralph Andretta, Bread Financial: At Bread Financial, we make bold, strategic investments that help our communities thrive. Our partnership helps address the growing need for mental health resources for children and their families and aims to provide vital resources that build a brighter future for the next generation. We are especially interested in supporting military-focused programs as we see the value veteran associates bring to our organization and the community, as well as the gap in resources for the unique mental health challenges these families may face.

What impact can children’s mental health have on employees?

Mr. Andretta: Children’s mental health can directly affect our associates’ wellbeing, many of whom are parents or caregivers. When children face mental health challenges, it can create stress and anxiety for the entire family. That’s why we extend the mental health resources and benefits we offer associates to their families as well. These resources help our associates feel more supported in their personal lives, which contributes to a healthier, more productive workplace and an environment where our associates know their families’ needs are understood and prioritized.

How do you think other companies and employers can better support their teams, especially regarding issues of mental health?

Mr. Andretta: Employers should provide access to resources and ensure that associates feel supported. We offer holistic mental health solutions that make it easy for associates to access the right care at the right time, as well as associate assistance programs and educational programs that reduce stigma. It is also important to cultivate a culture of empathy and understanding, where team members encourage open conversations about mental health without fear of judgement. By prioritizing mental health, companies can create stronger, more resilient teams and a more inclusive workplace.

How do military employees contribute to Bread Financial’s culture?

Mr. Andretta: Military associates bring invaluable skills and perspectives to Bread Financial. Their dedication, discipline and adaptability enrich our culture and inspire those around them.  Their commitment to service aligns with our values and helps foster respect, integrity and collaboration across our organization. We are proud to support veterans and active-duty service members, recognizing the leadership and teamwork they demonstrate every day.

Published November 2025