- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Fostering Resilience in Military Youth https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1241341?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1241341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1241341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Fostering Resilience in Military Youth&body=ESG News from Leidos https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1241341?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Responsible Business & Employee Engagement](/CSR-News/responsible-business-employee-engagement) # Fostering Resilience in Military Youth ##### Supporting families, breaking stigmas, and strengthening our military community Jan 16, 2024 3:30 PM ET Military youth are often the “hidden helpers” in their families. These children often provide care and support to an active-duty or veteran parent who is dealing with physical or mental health challenges—while learning how to manage their own mental health. Leaders from Leidos, the [**Elizabeth Dole Foundation**](https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/) (EDF), and the [**National Military Family Association**](https://www.militaryfamily.org/) (NMFA) recently discussed ways to break down stigmas around mental health and help these military youth build resilience in a [**conversation hosted by FORUM**](https://insights.govforum.io/2023/11/fostering-resilience-in-military-youth-supporting-families-breaking-stigmas-and-strengthening-our-military-community/). Liz Porter, Leidos Health Group president and an active-duty military spouse, facilitated the conversation with Besa Pinchotti, NMFA CEO, and Steve Schwab, EDF CEO. **Understanding the problem** Research conducted over several years with military teens indicates that 53% fall into the moderate well-being category, while 37% fall into the low mental well-being category. These statistics are notably higher than the general population, highlighting the unique challenges faced by military teens, Pinchotti shared. Schwab added that a recent study with Mathematica revealed that almost two and a half million children, as young as four or five, are providing primary and secondary care to their parents. Porter acknowledged the need for ongoing collaboration and support to ensure military kids have access to available resources and feel empowered to prioritize their own mental health. **Actionable ways to support military kids and families** Leidos recognizes that [**military families face unique challenges**](https://www.leidos.com/insights/prioritizing-mental-health-military-service-members-and-their-families) and is committed to collaborating with organizations like EDF and NMFA to provide meaningful support to our service members, veterans, and their families. Porter, Pinchotti, and Schwab highlighted multiple resources that are listed below for easy reference. Share these with the military families in your community and learn how you can support our “hidden helpers” as they support our service members and veterans. EDF RESOURCES - [**Hidden Helpers Guides and Resources**](https://hiddenheroes.org/resources/hiddenhelpers/) - [**Hidden Helpers Coalition**](https://hiddenheroes.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/EDF-HiddenHelpers-Commitments.pdf) - [**Dole Caregiver Fellows**](https://www.elizabethdolefoundation.org/fellows/) NMFA RESOURCES - [**2023 Military Teen Experience Report**](https://www.militaryfamily.org/research-insights/) - [**Field Guide to the Military Teen**](https://www.militaryfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Field-Guide-to-the-Military-Teen.pdf) - [**Bloom: Empowering the Military Teen**](https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/) (NMFA's teen program) - [**Operation Purple® Camp**](https://www.militaryfamily.org/programs/operation-purple/operation-purple-camp/?2993) - [**Leidos behavioral health counselors**](https://www.leidos.com/markets/health/military-health/military-family-life-counseling) are proud to support these camps. OTHER RESOURCES - [**Military OneSource**](https://www.militaryonesource.mil/parenting/family-life/military-family-appreciation/) - [**Military Child Education Coalition**](https://www.militarychild.org/) and the [**Purple Star School Program**](https://www.militarychild.org/purplestarschools) [![Leidos logo](/sites/default/files/2024-11/Leidos-logo-horz-uv-mid-rgb-%404x.png)](/profiles/leidos) ### More from Leidos ###### [Expanding Rural Healthcare Access With Technology](/news/expanding-rural-healthcare-access-technology) Mar 24, 2026 9:05 AM ET ###### [AI and Innovation: Supercharging Grid Efficiency and Reliability](/news/ai-and-innovation-supercharging-grid-efficiency-and-reliability) Feb 17, 2026 10:05 AM ET ###### [From Good to Great: Transforming Power Utility Safety Programs](/news/good-great-transforming-power-utility-safety-programs) Feb 13, 2026 9:05 AM ET ###### [Leidos Recognized by CDP for Environmental Transparency in 2025](/news/leidos-recognized-cdp-environmental-transparency-2025) Feb 10, 2026 12:35 PM ET ###### [Leidos in the Community](/news/leidos-community) Feb 9, 2026 10:15 AM ET ###### [Protecting the Software Supply Chain: A Critical Step for Cybersecurity Resilience](/news/protecting-software-supply-chain-critical-step-cybersecurity-resilience) Feb 3, 2026 8:05 AM ET ###### [Leidos Helps Utilities and Developers Tackle AI Data Centers' Power Demands](/news/leidos-helps-utilities-and-developers-tackle-ai-data-centers-power-demands) Jan 28, 2026 9:35 AM ET ###### [Why Ethical AI in Behavioral Health Matters: Building Trust Where It Matters Most](/news/why-ethical-ai-behavioral-health-matters-building-trust-where-it-matters-most) Jan 8, 2026 10:15 AM ET