You are Not Alone

You are Not Alone:
The Role of Counselors in Preventing Military Youth Suicide

By: Dr. Tonya Nascimento (PhD, LMHC, CMPC)

Youth suicide is one of the most pressing public health concerns of our time. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among teenagers, and rates among individuals aged 10–24 increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021. For military families, these risks can be compounded by the unique stressors of military life—frequent relocations, parental deployments, and the constant adjustment to new environments.

The challenge is clear, but so is the solution: prevention, early intervention, and the everyday presence of trusted, trained professionals. That is where counselors play a pivotal role.

The Elevated Risks for Military Children

While youth across the nation face rising rates of anxiety, depression, and feelings of hopelessness, research shows that military-connected children often experience additional challenges compared to their civilian peers. Deployments, relocations, and reintegration periods can contribute to increased stress, behavioral issues, and heightened vulnerability.

Although comprehensive statistics on military child suicide are limited, studies suggest that the risks are higher for this population, especially during and after parental deployments. These realities underscore the importance of proactive, community-based interventions tailored to military children’s unique needs.

How Military Counselors Make a Difference

The Department of War recognizes the need for early and accessible support and promotes programs that put counselors in schools, child development centers, and youth programs.  These counselors are not waiting behind a desk, but walking the hallways, joining recess, and being present in the everyday lives of military children.

Their approach is grounded in prevention, skill-building, and emotional literacy. By intervening early, counselors normalize conversations about mental health and provide practical tools that children can use immediately and carry into adolescence and adulthood.

Key areas of impact include:

• Emotional Literacy: Teaching children to identify and name their emotions reduces isolation, increases help-seeking behaviors, and builds self-confidence.
• Self-Regulation: Equipping children with calming strategies allows them to manage stress and shift from crisis thinking to problem-solving.
• Healthy Thinking Patterns: Counselors help reframe negative thoughts and instill hope, countering one of the strongest predictors of suicide—hopelessness.
• Belonging and Connection: By creating opportunities for inclusion and honoring military children’s contributions, counselors reduce feelings of isolation and help build strong community ties.

Small Interactions, Lasting Impact

One of the most powerful aspects of having counselors integrated within military populations is their accessibility. Sometimes, a 10-minute conversation on the playground can redirect a child’s thinking, reinforce resilience, and provide hope when needed most. These micro-interventions accumulate, shaping coping strategies that become second nature as children grow.

Importantly, these counselors are also trusted adults whom children can turn to in times of crisis. While maintaining confidentiality, they are trained to act when a child expresses self-harm or discloses abuse, ensuring safety nets are in place. This balance of trust, accessibility, and accountability makes them indispensable to suicide prevention efforts in military communities.

Building a Culture of Prevention

Preventing youth suicide requires more than crisis response; it demands a culture of prevention, resilience, and connection. counselors who are integrated within military populations are central to this mission, equipping military children with the skills, confidence, and support networks they need to thrive in the face of adversity.

For military leaders, educators, and policymakers, this work underscores the importance of continued investment in prevention programs. By embedding trained counselors directly into children’s daily environments, we are not just responding to risk; we are proactively building resilience that lasts a lifetime.

The statistics on youth suicide are sobering, but they do not have to define the future of military children. With targeted support, early intervention, and the consistent presence of counselors, we can help young people navigate the unique stressors of military life and emerge stronger, more connected, and more hopeful.

At Magellan Federal, we are committed to advancing these efforts—because no child should face their challenges alone