A New Survey is Bringing Attention to the Challenges Military Teens Face

Vital doesn't always mean visible. Across America, advanced technology is working behind the scenes, strengthening our nation. It protects our war fighters, delivers mission-ready intelligence, advances life-saving healthcare, and defends the critical infrastructure that keeps our country moving. At GDIT, we power the systems that help America operate, connect, and stay secure. Every hour, every mission, every day. GDIT, behind America's invisible advantage. As this new school year approaches for some and is underway for others, a new national survey being released today is revealing ongoing challenges for military teens. Joining us now on the Kogo News Live line is psychologist and curriculum developer with Sanford Harmony at National University, Dr. Nick Yoder. Dr. Thank you so much for joining us on San Diego's morning news. Hey, thanks for having me. Tell us a little bit about what those challenges are for military teens. Yeah, later today, National University of Stanford Harmony is hosting the National Military Family Association to launch the release of new findings from the military teen experience survey. So National University is a long serving military families. And rather than simply releasing new data, we're bringing together military families, educators, and school leaders to ask a practical question. What can adults do differently this school year to help schools and students feel connected from day one? So I know Raleigh from NFA is going to be on later this week to break down the findings. But unfortunately, the results tell us that this discussion is deeply and desperately needed. For the fifth consecutive year, the survey finds that military-connected teens continue to support significant well-being challenges. So we need to do more to help students feel welcome, connected, and supported in their schools. What is the challenge that most often you hear from military teenagers? Yeah, so oftentimes in for military teenagers, particularly, oftentimes they're engaging in new communities often. So they might be, you know, finding new peers to connect with, finding new teachers to connect with, not knowing the typical transitions so that are happening in schools. So it's really about kind of how they are engaging in schools and really experiencing students in classrooms for the first time as they're really And also them experiencing when their families are deployed and kind of experiencing those mental and emotional challenges with having, you know, parents deployed as well. Sure. We're talking about a new survey that is actually helping military teens succeed in school. And Dr. Nick Yoder is one of the curriculum developers with Sanford Harmony at National University. Doctor, is this a new phenomenon, this problem that we're facing? And if so, why? So no, I don't think this is a new problem we're facing, particularly for military teens. The idea of really feeling connected and engaged has been incredibly important and it's so incredibly important for learning. So as kids come back to school, the idea of feeling connected, engaged, and learning is incredibly important. Kids all across the country, common transition between classrooms, between schools, between educators and teachers.

And so lots of kids are typically experiencing some sort of transition often. So the idea that we really need to support kids and their well-being and relationships, particularly at the beginning of the school year, has been widely known and has been really important for us to focus on as educators and families. You know, whatever we do, we need to worry about kids who are thinking about harming themselves. And that is a real problem, not just military teens, teens in general, but a lot of the military teens. Yeah, that is absolutely true. One of the things that we really need to ensure is how are we supporting kiddos right from the start? So the more that we are able to engage in them in kind of relationship building activities, finding ways to help them feel connected, to feel supported, to feel valued in their school communities, particularly as they engage in these transitions will help reduce the ideas. of self-harm and will help kids feel like they have those support structures in place so that they can kind of navigate those challenges that they face. Is there a place that people can find out more information, doctor? Yeah, so you can find out more information on Stanford Harmony at Stanfordharmonie.org, which we have a lot of information. about supporting kids, relationships, well-being, and support structures that educators and parents can provide them. For parents, specifically, we also have a Harmony at home app that parents can engage in these practices with their youth at home as well. And you can find that information at, yeah, cipherman.org. Dr. Nick Yoder at Sanford Harmony at National University. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. It's great talking to you. Vital doesn't always mean visible. Across America, advanced technology is working behind the scenes, strengthening our nation. It protects our warfighters, advances life-saving health care, combat cyber threats, and defends the critical infrastructure that keeps our country moving. At GDIT, we power the systems that help America operate, connect, and stay secure. Every hour, every mission, every day. GDIT, behind America's invisible advantage. Trade screen time for race time at Virginia International Raceway. August 21st through 23rd, IMSA's Michelin GT Challenge brings some of the coolest cars to VIR for an unforgettable family weekend. Explore, meet drivers, see race cars up close, and experience the thrill of racing from every corner of the track. It's more than a race. It's a memory waiting to be made. Kids 12 and under get in free. Get your tickets at VIRFam.com. That's VIRFAM.com.