Blended families and military connected families both come with unique challenges. Combine the two and the challenges can be multiplied. When relationships end and children are involved, developing a co-parenting relationship can be challenging. Focusing on the best needs of the children can be difficult for some parents as the emotions and the hurt caused by the end of the relationship can take over.
Take a moment and think about the ways you prepare for emergency situations in your personal life. Various activities might come to mind, like stocking up on essentials at the grocery store when a major storm is about to blow through your community. Perhaps you imagine gathering phone numbers and contact information for loved ones and providers that serve you or your family members, imagining a scenario in which hard news needs to be communicated or individuals found for support. Whatever the emergency that came to mind, it is likely that you thought of your readiness to respond; use of information, tangible resources, or products; and/or connection with others.
The interest in virtual treatment options has never been stronger than it is right now. Not only are virtual treatment options more convenient in regards to time and location, but they also mitigate the risk of exposure in the era of COVID-19. Unsurprisingly, research and scholarly writing in the areas of telehealth and mobile apps has skyrocketed in the past two years. This has included interest in flexible treatment options for insomnia disorder.
Since 2000 over 449,000 service members have had at least one documented TBI, of which approximately 82% are mild (Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, 2021). These injuries occur as part of mission-related activities while in-theater or during training exercises or as part of recreational activities. Many patients report experiencing headaches, memory and concentration issues, changes in mood, and increased irritability, depression, anxiety, and sleep problems (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2021).
Insomnia is one of the top sleep related diagnoses for military personnel and veterans (Kelly et al., 2019). Additionally, insomnia is associated with a myriad of psychological and medical problems, increases in utilization of healthcare services and costs (Bramoweth et al., 2022; Klingaman et al., 2018). It is a serious problem.