Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Defense Health Agency celebrating the mighty military child in April

Image of This April, the DHA will celebrate the mighty military child . The Defense Health Agency celebrates the mighty military child in April.

The month of April is a mighty big deal for the Defense Health Agency.

The DHA launched the “Celebrating the Mighty” global campaign on April 1. This is the eighth year the DHA is participating in and celebrating the Month of the Military Child.

The “mighty” campaign will shine light on the virtual community that is available to military children on Military Kids Connect, as well as educating military children about the importance of building camaraderie as part of strengthening their mental health, well-being, and sense of belonging.

“Military kids provide creative and resourceful support to their families and communities, all while regularly adapting to new environments and making sacrifices alongside their parents,” said Kelly Blasko, counseling psychologist and lead for Military Kids Connect at the DHA Connected Health branch. “This year, the DHA is including the ‘Celebrating the Mighty’ campaign as part of our Month of the Military Child outreach so we can honor the strength, resiliency, and sheer might that military kids demonstrate every day.”

Blasko mentioned military children sometimes face unique psychological challenges that come with military life. For the nearly 1 million military kids, they may have a parent absent for long periods of time and move multiple times during their grade-school years. These factors alone may greatly stress military kids’ mental health. 

“For military kids, sometimes it’s hard to relate to other kids when their parents aren’t in the military like yours are,” said Mackenzie Hale, a 16-year-old military kid living in Washington state. “I am lucky to have found a community of other kids and families who can support each other, and that has been very helpful when my dad has gone on deployments.”

Throughout April, Military Kids Connect is hosting virtual “Celebrating the Mighty” events and activities:

  • All month long, Military Kids Connect will share information for military kids on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, using #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild, #MOMC
  • Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Gragg celebrates the mighty with a video shout out to military kids.
  • On April 6, Military OneSource’s Daily COVID-19 Facebook Live will feature Military Kids Connect and the Celebrating the Mighty campaign.
  • On April 12, there will be a military kid “takeover” on the Military Kids Connect social media channels (see a preview video here).
  • April 15 marks Purple Up Day, when the DHA recognizes military kids everywhere by encouraging everyone to wear purple, the color representing all military branches, using #PurpleUp, #PurpleUpDay.
  • Military Kids Connect digital banners will be prominently displayed at large military installations in Germany, Korea, Hawaii, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington state.

The Department of Defense launched the Month of the Military Child campaign in 1986, and it has evolved to one of the most exciting campaigns of the year. Follow along and celebrate the mighty on the DHA’s Military Kid Connect Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. 

You also may be interested in...

How You Can Prevent This Cancer-Causing Sexually Transmitted Infection

Article
8/4/2021
Doctor talking to a boy

Get the HPV vaccinations for cancer prevention if you haven’t already

Helping a Military Child Heal After Loss Infographic

Publication
6/23/2021

Learn ways to support military children as they navigate the grieving process and begin to heal.

Retinopathy of Prematurity, Important Focus for Military Eye Doctors

Article
6/23/2021
Health personnel conducting a morning assessment on an infant

Retinopathy of Prematurity is a little-known disease with big risks.

NMRTU Everett pediatrician continues to provide patient-centered care

Article
6/11/2021
Military health personnel wearing a face mask examining a new born baby

NMRTU pediatrician cares for her patients, one child at a time.

Based on data, MHS experts encourage vaccines for adolescents

Article
6/1/2021
Sister and brother smiling at each other

With the Pfizer vaccine approved for youth ages 12 to 15, MHS adolescents are lining up to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Adolescents ages 12 and older eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations

Article
5/27/2021
Son of military personnel receiving his COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer vaccine now authorized for children 12 and older.

Military kids are resilient, but far from immune to pandemic effects

Article
4/28/2021
Military personnel wearing face mask holding up posters for Month of the Military Child

Military children are known for being resilient to constant change, but COVID-19 has affected their mental health, too.

Ten ways parents can help kids make good nutritional choices

Article
4/27/2021
Children writing on the sidewalk with chalk

Nutrition is a key element of Total Force Fitness, but it’s just as important to encourage kids to make smart nutritional choices.

Young cancer survivor rings bell signifying treatment end

Article
4/16/2021
Sailor Parker writing her name on a wall sticker

Seven year old girl wins her battle against Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Children’s well-being contributes immeasurably to force readiness

Article
4/6/2021
Military personnel wearing face mask in the back of a truck

The Defense Health Agency joins in celebrating military children during Month of the Military Child, observed in April, and always.

Good oral care requires lifetime commitment

Article
2/25/2021
Military health personnel, sitting in front of a group of children, showing them how to brush their teeth using a stuffed animal

Children’s Dental Health Month focuses on the importance of developing good oral hygiene habits at an early age.

Keeping kids’ teeth healthy during a pandemic: brush, floss, no sugar

Article
2/18/2021
Military health personnel wearing a face mask examines the mouth of a child

Pediatric dentistry requires tooth brushing, flossing and sugar avoidance. During a pandemic, getting to a checkup has been hard.

Measles Myths: The Measles Can Be Life-Threatening

Video
9/30/2019
Measles Myths: The Measles Can Be Life-Threatening

Measles can be life-threatening, especially for children and among people who have a compromised immune system.

Measles Myths: Hand Washing Alone Won't Prevent Measles

Video
9/23/2019
Measles Myths: Hand Washing Alone Won't Prevent Measles

Hand washing alone will not prevent the spread of measles. Dr. Margaret Ryan, preventive medicine physician, debunks some myths about vaccinations.

Measles Myths: Vaccines Are Safe

Video
9/17/2019
Measles Myths: Vaccines Are Safe

Vaccine components have been rigorously tested for safety. Dr. Margaret Ryan, preventive medicine physician, debunks some myths about vaccinations.

Page 4 of 5 , showing items 46 - 60
First < 1 2 3 4 5 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 29, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery