Resources

Fall Craft For Families – Turkey Windsocks

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Happy Fall, ya’ll! As the weather gets cooler, you might be wondering what kind of activities can keep your kids entertained indoors. Check out this fun and cost efficient craft for your family!

thanksgiving kids craft turkey windsocks

(Image from Happiness is Homemade)

What you’ll need:

  1. Recycled Aluminum Can
  2. Brown Paint
  3. Craft glue
  4. Orange Paint Pen
  5. Large Googly Eyes
  6. Ribbons-Fall Colors
  7. Feathers, Felt, and/or Construction Paper-Fall Colors
  8. Scissors
  9. Masking Tape (optional)

Directions:

  1. Start by painting the Aluminum Can with the brown paint. 
  2. After the brown paint is dry, use your orange painter’s pen to draw an upside-down triangle as the turkey’s “beak.”
  3. Then, attach the googly eyes using your craft glue.
  4. Using your choice of feathers or construction paper, create the turkey’s “tail” by gluing the feathers/construction paper to the top of the back of the can on the inside rim. The can will have sharp edges, you can apply the masking tape there to protect your fingers.
  5. Cut 10-15 pieces of ribbon at about 18” in length.
  6. Apply a thick layer of craft glue to the inside rim at the bottom of the can, and then place your ribbon streamers. Allow the glue to dry.
  7. Cut out a red waddle (in either felt or construction paper). Use your craft glue to attach it beside the beak.
  8. Attach ribbon to the inside rim of the top sides of the can using craft glue to create a handle.

Adapted from: Happiness is Homemade. For more fun, Fall crafts, check out their website:

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/thanksgiving-kids-craft-turkey-windsocks/ 

5 Mental Health Resources for Military Families – Suicide Prevention Month

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Content Warning: Mention of mental health and suicide

 

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and more specifically National Suicide Prevention Week is September 10, 2023-September 16, 2023. This month is dedicated to raising suicide awareness and bringing together those who have been impacted by suicide.

According to the US Department of Defense, the suicide rate among active duty military troops in 2021 was 24.3 per 100,000. The DOD reports that there has been an increasing trend in suicide among active duty troops since 2011, with the exception of a decrease between 2020 and 2021. Even more, the DOD reports that in 2020, 202 military dependents died by suicide.

The DOD recognizes that suicide is a tragedy that changes families forever, which is why the DOD is taking diligent efforts to commit to suicide prevention in the military. In 2022, the DOD hired 2,000 prevention personnel, stationed across the world. 

Beyond DOD efforts, the resources for military troops and their families are abundant and accessible. In times of mental health crises, get help right away. The following are mental health/suicide prevention resources and support for individuals in times of need.

 

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

“TAPS is the national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources for all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one.”

https://www.taps.org/mission 

 

DOD’s Military OneSource

“Military OneSource from the Department of Defense is your 24/7 gateway to trusted information, resources and confidential help. When MilLife happens, it’s your “first line of support” — giving service members and military families tools to stay well and thrive.”

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ 

 

Red Cross’ Military and Veterans Caregiver Network

“The Military and Veteran Caregiver Network (MVCN) offers peer-based support and services to connect those providing care to service members and veterans living with wounds, illnesses, injuries and/or aging.”

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/military-families/services-for-veterans/military-veteran-caregiver-network.html 

 

Veteran Suicide Prevention

“If you’re a Veteran in a mental health crisis and you’re thinking about hurting yourself—or you know a Veteran who’s considering this—get help right away. You’re not alone.”

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j0Ktj2D-BF8pfMYODJmJ01y_ZiEWuUBNLZQc0ukFaPA/edit 

 

Military and Suicide Prevention-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

“AFSP is committed to protecting those who protect us and believes that Veteran and military suicide prevention must continue to be a national priority.”

https://afsp.org/military-and-veteran-suicide-prevention/ 

 

References:

“Active Duty Suicide Rate Drops; Austin Says More Work Needed.” U.S. Department of Defense, www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3195429/active-duty-suicide-rate-drops-austin-says-more-work-needed/#:~:text=Fewer%20service%20members%20died%20by,said%20at%20a%20media%20briefing. Accessed 14 Sept. 2023. 

“Veteran and Military Suicide Prevention Resources.” Action Alliance, theactionalliance.org/veteran-and-military-suicide-prevention-resources. Accessed 14 Sept. 2023.

Embracing Pride: Support and Resources for LGBTQ+ Military Youth and Families

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June is a month of celebration, pride, and inclusivity as we honor Pride Month. At OMK we stand with and support our LGBTQ+ military youth and families. In this post we will highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the military and provide resources available for LGBTQ+ youth in Ohio.

Pride in the Military:

LGBTQ+ people have existed throughout history, including Ancient Greece and two-spirit people in Native American cultures. LGBTQ+ people are present in all parts of society – they are people we know and love, and even people who serve in our military.

In the United States less than 1% of citizens volunteer to serve in the armed forces, and 6.1% of military personal identify as LGBTQ+ according to research conducted in 2015 by Meadows, et. al.

LGBTQ+ individuals have been part of the military since its formation, with Lieutenant Colonel John Lauren being one of the earliest recorded in the Revolutionary War. Since then, many more LGBTQ+ individuals have served our country.

Despite their bravery, the stories of these individuals are often unknown or overshadowed due to the military’s history of anti-LGBTQ+ policies (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Transgender Military Ban) which led to the less-than-honorable discharges of an estimated more than 100,000 service members due to sexual orientation or gender identity (The Williams Institute, 2010).

Recent years have brought policy advancements for our LGBTQ+ service members; but there is more to be done to achieve military inclusivity.

Resources for LGBTQ+ Military Youth & Families in Ohio:

  • Community Centers:
    • The LGBT Center of Greater Cleveland, Equitas Health, and Stonewall Columbus provide a wide range of support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals, including youth. These centers often offer counseling services, support groups, educational programs, and social events to create safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth to connect, learn, and thrive.
    • Equitas Health along with PAPI work to offer PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), which prevents HIV, and STD testing free of cost to all Ohio residents with or without insurance.
  • Counseling Services and Safe Spaces:
    • Organizations like the Trevor Project provide mental health support, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention services specifically tailored to LGBTQ+ youth. They offer online chat and phone hotlines to provide immediate support and guidance.
    • Many insurance websites can assist in your search for counseling for LGBTQ+ individuals. OSU’s provider search can be found here.

Support for LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Military:

  • Modern Military Association of America offers legal services, advocacy, and community support to address issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the military.
  • Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) Offices throughout Ohio are responsible for ensuring equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion within the military. They provide support, guidance, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals who may face discrimination or harassment.

Social Opportunities and Connection:

  • Black, Out, & Proud serves as a resource for Black LGBTQ+ people.
  • Rainbow Sisters meets the first Wednesday of every month for social events and outreach programs for lesbian women over the age of 40.
  • The Kaleidoscope Youth Center in downtown Columbus offers social events, a discord server, drop-in hours, movie nights, D&D groups, and more for LGBTQ+ youth.
  • The Prim Youth Initiative in Dayton plans and hosts events for LGBTQ+ youth. They also offer support groups and a library.
  • PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) has chapters across Ohio that offer support and social groups for LGBTQ+ youth and their families.

References:

Meadows, S. O., Engel, C. C., Collins, R. L., Beckman, R. L., Cefalu, M., Hawes-Dawson, J., Waymouth, M., Kress, A. M., Sontag-Padilla, L., Ramchand, R., & Williams, K. M. (2015). Health Related Behaviors Survey: Sexual Orientation, Transgender Identity, and Health Among U.S. Active-Duty Service Members. RAND Corporation, RB-9955/6-OSD, 2018. As of May 26, 2023: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9955z6.html

The Williams Institute (2010). Discharges under the Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell policy. Retrieved from: https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Discharges-DADT-Women-Race-Sep-2010.pdf