FORT BRAGG, NC (WTVD) — As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, some U.S. service members are finding out their deployments will last longer than originally expected.<\/p>\n
Jeffrey Smith, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and veteran, understands those challenges firsthand. Smith, who has been deployed five times, says the news can bring worry and anxiety to military households.<\/p>\n
“It’s a lot of worrying, a lot of frustrations, anxiety,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
CENTCOM officials told ABC News there are now 50,000 troops in the region, including about 1,500 from the 82nd Airborne Division.<\/p>\n
Smith co-owns Playful Minds Counseling, which offers mental health services for children, adults, and military community members.<\/p>\n
He credits his family for supporting him through multiple tours overseas.<\/p>\n
“My wife, she’s she’s a rock star, but I know that she had problems doing it at times. But she did what she had to do to make sure that our family was taken care of.”<\/p>\n
As the war in Iran stretches into its seventh month, far beyond the four- to six-week, timeline the president initially laid out, military families are facing growing uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Eighteen U.S. service members have been killed during the first six months of the conflict.<\/p>\n
Smith says finding out that deployments might last a full year can be emotionally difficult, and he knows that feeling himself.<\/p>\n
“I joined in 93 and I retired in 2013. I’ve had multiple deployments. I’ve only ever had one that was extended without real reason or knowledge.”<\/p>\n
With the 82nd Airborne Division’s deployment now extended to a year, Smith encourages families to express their feelings in healthy ways.<\/p>\n
“They can try journaling like a diary. Just write it all down. It’s not talking to anybody, but you’re still getting all those emotions and feelings out.”<\/p>\n
Smith acknowledges the mental strain these extended deployments can bring, but says there are ways to cope.<\/p>\n
“Talk about it. Friends, family professionals, express your frustrations, express your worries. If you keep them all bottled in, eventually they’re going to explode out. “<\/p>\n
He notes that anger and frustration are normal reactions, but parents should be mindful of signs of distress in children.<\/p>\n
“Frustration, sadness, anxiety, extreme clinginess to the parent that’s home. They’re afraid that if that parent gets out of their sight, they’re going to be gone like the other parent is deployed.”<\/p>\n
Smith also encourages families to connect with support groups and emphasizes that if thoughts or emotions become too much to handle, reaching out to a mental health professional can help.<\/p>\n