April is National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The 30th Medical Group Family Advocacy Program at Vandenberg Air Force Base hosted a screening of the independent film "Resilience" which discusses how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can significantly impact health and even decrease life expectancy.

It was a great group: 48 people attended, most in uniform.  Participants completed the ACEs Survey and 52% had 4 or more ACEs! 

Air Force medics, mental health clinicians, First Sergeants, and key base helping agencies participated in a guided discussion about how to improve help-seeking behaviors among Airmen and how to provide support services that honor the military family as a whole.

Part of the discussion centered on military values that promote resilience - values such as loyalty, camaraderie, respect, and a sense of family.  Attendees also talked about building trusting relationships and making it okay to ask for help, so that more families take advantage of the many resources that the base provides. 

The stresses military families face are unique and persistent, and the group was eager to find new ways of assessing the impacts and supporting their children, youth and families.  We are honored to partner with VAFB to strengthen resilience!