Resiliency within our military families

Jackie Carlé, 
Executive Director, Esquimalt MFRC 

— 

At the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), we are honoured to walk alongside military connected families everyday. Our team of staff and volunteers are constantly impressed with the way military families navigate relocations and work-related absences of their military member while still maintaining their mental health and well-being.  On Sept. 15, we come together to acknowledge how strong and dynamic our military families are as we celebrate Military Family Appreciation Day; the official day when we honour military-connected families.

 

We know that living the military family lifestyle has its ups and downs. Our goal at the MFRC is to be present with family members as they traverse the realities of being part of a military family. The word resilience is often used in relation to military families and the unique challenges they experience. We believe that resilience does not mean that we are strong and capable all the time, though. For us, resilience means that we seek support when we need it, and we explore new coping mechanisms when we recognize that our usual strategies aren’t enough. Resilience is about sharing our collective wisdom and supporting one another for the greater good and without personal agenda.

 

 

Research on well-being highlights the importance of building healthy networks. Support networks don’t need to be large, but they do need to be empathetic and affirming. These are especially important in military families, whether that be when a member deploys and a family needs support in the absence of a parent, or in navigating the unique lifestyle the military offers with someone who understands it well. 

 

The MFRC Family Wellness and Counselling team offers counselling for military family members looking for support. We have great partnerships in the broader community and can facilitate meaningful referrals when required. We offer wellness and preventative programs aimed at supporting well-being and increasing healthy networks for families. Our Family Network volunteers and Work-Related Absence team strive to connect loved ones with information, a sense of belonging and peace of mind.  We also offer children’s services to encourage play, creativity and fun in a caring environment where staff understand that sometimes it is hard to have a significant family member away or settle into a new community.

 

Military Family is a big concept for us at the MFRC. It refers to those who are near and dear to a military member, whether that be immediate family, extended family or a circle of friends that constitute the military member’s support system.  It is all encompassing.  The common thread is the service of the military member and sacrifices made by their families, all in support of keeping Canadians safe.   

 

Military Families are the homefront and we honour and recognize their contribution to this country.