Everyone Serves: A Handbook for Family & Friends of Service Members During Pre-Deployment, Deployment and Reintegration was created by Vulcan Productions, the independent film production company founded by investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen; in partnership with Blue Star Families, the country’s largest chapter-based military family support organization. NBC Publishing, a division of NBC Universal Media, provided the technical resources for the digital version of the handbook. The stakeholders collaborated with ProSocial, a social change agency leveraging media to create public engagement and sustainable impact, to oversee the content, design and development of the resource.

This Handbook is designed to help family and friends of service members manage the stresses of deployment, reintegration, transition and to build resilience in ways that are valuable to themselves and their warriors long after the deployment experience it completed.

This handbook was created through extensive contributions and review from mental health professionals, military experts, service members, and military families. Representatives from the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury and HealthNet, Inc. a national TriCare provider, played integral roles in the development and review of the resource. It was made possible through funding support from Vulcan Productions, Hunt Companies, and the Wounded Warrior Project.

This is the second edition of the Handbook, originally developed as part of Vulcan Productions’ This Emotional Life, a multi-platform project exploring the science behind our quest for happiness and the importance of the social relationships in surmounting life’s challenges. This groundbreaking project includes a three-part PBS documentary series, a co-production of the NOVA/WGBH Science Unit, and Vulcan Productions, Inc. The films are produced by Kunhardt McGee Productions. Funding for This Emotional Life was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Public Television Viewers. Additional funding was provided by the University of Phoenix and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

 

 

The content in this handbook is for informational and educational purposes only and NOT a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or mental disorder. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this material.

The information in this material has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Vulcan Productions and Blue Star Families make no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of this information. Should you have any health, medical or disability questions or concerns please consult a physician or other health care professional. Information and content in this material is neither complete nor exhaustive and does not cover all disabilities, diseases, illnesses and physical conditions or their management and treatment.

Reliance on any information provided in this material or by any person or professional appearing in this material is solely at your own risk. This information is provided on an “AS IS” basis. VULCAN PRODUCTIONS AND BLUE STAR FAMILIES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTIES’ RIGHTS AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In no event shall Vulcan Productions and Blue Star Families be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, incidental and consequential damages, personal injury/wrongful death, lost profits, or any other damages) resulting from the use of this material, whether based on warranty, contract, tort or any other legal theory and whether or not Vulcan Productions or Blue Star Families are advised of the possibility of such damages.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor of 1-800-273-TALK (8255) immediately.