Depression is a persistent mood disorder impacting feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It is often associated with symptoms like sadness, fatigue, and loss of interest. Depression may arise as a result of several factors including brain chemistry and life events. This post provides practical self-help strategies for coping, such as prioritizing self-care, establishing routines, and connecting with others.

Military service members and their families may have distinct mental health challenges due to deployments, combat exposure, and frequent relocations, as well as the significant impact on spouses and children. There are many ways to support service members and their families including emphasizing the importance of normalizing help-seeking, building support networks, and utilizing specialized resources to foster well-being within the military community.