Mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder are among the greatest challenges facing returning troops, and there has been a concerted effort by the Pentagon and the White House to improve treatment. Yet despite the greater focus on addressing PTSD, there has been no increase in the number of troops who seek help. A recent confidential survey of troops in Afghanistan found that approximately half of servicemembers who reported mental health issues said they'd be perceived as weak if they sought treatment, according to USA Today. 

Disappointing findings
The results come after officials had taken significant steps to reduce the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment. The Department of Defense has been particularly active in urging troops to reach out for help while also improving their access to behavioral health specialists. This push has also lead to the creation of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md., which specialized in treating traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Still, experts say it will take time to change the culture.

"Despite efforts to reduce stigma … there still exists latent tendencies to view seeking behavioral health care as weakness," Army spokesman George Wright told the publication. "Leaders at all levels must continue to resist this culture by associating help-seeking behavior with strength-seeking behavior and by embracing the benefits of increased individual resilience."

Widespread issue
This isn't a problem that affects a small portion of the military community, either. Although there are no official statistics, experts estimate that approximately 20 percent of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars show symptoms of PTSD. And in 2012, the military suicide rate hit its highest mark ever, with more than 349 troops taking their own lives, according to NBC News.

PTSD can affect more than just the troops themselves, as their families can also feel the impact of the condition. According to ABC News, many spouses of servicemembers who have returned home with PTSD often struggle to convince their loved ones to seek help.

"It was probably the hardest thing he has ever had to do in his entire life, but it was the best thing he could have ever done; for him, for me and for his family," Amanda Cherry-Haus, a military spouse, told the news source.

Many preventable deaths occur during the summer months, and that doesn't change when it comes to servicemembers and their families. With June recognized as National Safety Month, the Army is encouraging its soldiers and their loved ones to pay particular attention to risky behaviors and be mindful of the inherent dangers that come with spending more time outside during the warmer months of the year, according to the Army's official website. 

A personal responsibility
The month-long observance is organized by the National Safety Council, and this year's theme, "Safety Starts With Me" emphasizes that both civilians and soldiers can be proactive at preventing potentially deadly accidents. Specifically, National Safety Month focuses primarily on topics like preventing falls, emergency preparedness and ergonomics. The Army also urged soldiers and their families to be mindful in the car, on their motorcycle or similar devices, as they are the leading cause of death among off-duty soldiers during the summer.

"Private motor vehicles, either two wheeled or four, remain the number one accidental killer of our Soldiers," Command Sgt. Major Richard D. Stidley told the website. "Indiscipline leads to reckless behavior, and reckless behavior in any form when you're driving or riding can be deadly."

Other initiatives abound
National Safety Month is not the only initiative encouraging servicemembers to take care of themselves this summer. The Department of Defense also launched a similar program in May known as the Army Safe Summer campaign. This initiative provides servicemembers with certain materials highlighting the dangers associated with the season. Among its most significant focuses is making sure soldiers know the regulations, guidelines, laws and standards in place to ensure there's no accidents. 

"Our campaign products, by design, are meant to help leaders and safety professionals engage their Soldiers, civilians and family members on risk and risk management," said Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Edens.

Biggest summer safety hazards
Aside from motor vehicle accidents, there are several other dangers that servicemembers should be on the lookout for during the summer. According to WebMD, fireworks accidents are among the leading causes of injury. In fact, in 2009 an estimated 9,000 people were hurt by fireworks, with two deaths coming as a result. Aside from abiding to local rules and regulations, experts stress the importance of having a hose or fire extinguisher nearby as well as keeping children far away. 

Children who have parents serving in the military encounter problems that civilian youngsters do not, and a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that their health can suffer as a result. Researchers hope the new findings will highlight the challenges military children face on a daily basis and spur new understanding among the healthcare community, according to the report published in the journal Pediatrics. 

Psychological and physical toll
More than 2 million children have had a loved one deployed during the last decade, and numerous studies have shown the significant impact it can have on their well-being. Specifically, researchers have found that approximately one in four military children experience symptoms of depression, an estimated one-third of youngsters report excessive worry while one out of every two had problems sleeping. The AAP says that it is up to children's doctors to be particularly attuned to the challenges military kids face.

"Pediatricians play a critical role in identifying how well or poorly a child or family responds to a major stressor such as an extended deployment, and can provide the necessary education and support, including referral to a mental health professional when needed," said Dr. Benjamin S. Siegel, the report's co-author. 

Obstacles continue past deployment
Although a great deal of attention is paid to what impact a parent's deployment has on a youngster's well-being, when it is over there are still significant challenges, especially as their parent works to transition back to civilian life. For instance, approximately 20 percent of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, which could place undue strain on children. Additionally, frequent moves can make it difficult for them to assimilate into new schools and towns. 

Sacrifices recognized
It may be not be easy being part of a military family, but the sacrifices made my children have not gone overlooked. In April, which is designated as the Month of the Military Child, there were a number of events dedicated to honoring the youngest members of the community. For instance, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, paid tribute to five teenagers in particular who not only navigate the oft-challenging military life, but also gave back to the community. 

Staying in contact with loved ones is an essential part of life for military families. In years past, doing so may have been particularly difficult, especially with a parent or spouse deployed overseas. However, more recently social media has played an increasingly important role in helping military families communicate, The Augusta Chronicle reports.

Social media has been a staple of everyday life for much of the last decade, but that didn't become the case for the military community until fairly recently. Up until about two years ago, the military restricted access to Facebook due to concerns over security breaches. They have softened their stance since then, opening up the opportunities for troops to talk with their loved ones on the popular website. Additionally, Skype has allowed families to see each other even when separated by thousands of miles.

"No other military in the history of warfare has had that level of access to their families," social psychologist Benjamin Karney told the newspaper. 

Such websites have played other roles in the military community other than helping families stay in touch. For instance, Twitter has helped like-minded families get in contact with one another, and a new website – Rallypoint.com – helps connect military professionals with one another, NBC affiliate WVIR reports.

The Warrior Games showcases the best the Armed Forces has to offer, and one servicemember in particular is certainly a testament to that. After being told she'd never walk again, Spc. Elizabeth Wasil, has turned herself into an elite paralympian and will be competing in the upcoming Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center, according to the Army's official website.

Wasil was injured in Iraq in 2010, and it didn't take long for her to jump into physical therapy. Aside from succeeding as a swimmer, she will also be competing at the games in the shot put, wheelchair racing and cycling. While she relishes the competition, to Wasil the Warrior Games represent more than that. Much like many other wounded servicemembers, she says that sports have helped her in the mental recovery from her injuries.

"[The games] gave me a whole new drive, showed me things I never would've known that I was even able to do," Wasil told the website. "It gave me an entire different outlet that I didn't know was there. It helps give injured soldiers a really strong foundation amongst each other, because there is no better support than a fellow injured soldier."

Since it began in 2010, the Warrior Games have welcomed hundreds of injured, wounded or ill servicemembers each year. This year, the games are scheduled for May 17. 

Whether they are welcoming home a loved one from overseas or saying goodbye before a deployment, the airport can be a very emotional place for military families, and one in New York is taking a unique approach into helping them through the stressful time. The Greater Binghamton Airport recently opened its new Military Family Room, which affords servicemembers some privacy, according to CBS affiliate WBNG.

The section of the airport is more than just a walled-off area, however. Thanks to $8,000 in funding from a local veterans account, the room features a number of amenities including a flat-screen television and comfortable couches. For servicemember advocates, the room's creation is a victory, and airport officials said they were more than happy to oblige.

"Before this room existed they would go over to the seating area which is [a] very public area," Carl Beardsley, the airport's aviation commissioner, told the news channel. "The TSA came to us and ask if there was a chance to have a room where they could escort them in and give them privacy."

Such areas may be especially important in the coming months and years. The White House and Pentagon are still on course to bring all troops home from Afghanistan by the end of 2014. 

Men and women who have a spouse serving overseas face a wide variety of challenges, but second lady Dr. Jill Biden did not know just how difficult it was having a loved one deployed in a war zone until she experienced it herself. In 2008, her son Beau served in Iraq, and in remarks at the recent Annual Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives' Luncheon she said it gave her a newfound respect for the challenges military spouses overcome every day, American Forces Press Service reports.

Raising awareness
Although Biden highlighted her own experiences, she used the anecdote to highlight the fact that much of the American public may not be aware of the obstacles military families face on a daily basis, something she has tried to raise through the Joining Force initiative – the program she runs with first lady Michelle Obama. Biden says the biggest reason for the disconnect is that many civilians are simply unaware of the daily life of those close to the Armed Forces, especially since they only make up about 1 percent of the total U.S. population. 

"So many Americans don't know anyone in the military," she told those in attendance. "They haven't been through the challenges of deployment, and they don't really understand what the military experience is really like."

Deployment not the only challenge
Having a spouse serving overseas is not the only obstacle that military families face on a regular basis, there are also considerable financial challenges, according to CNN Money. For instance, frequent moves can make it hard to spouses to find consistent work due to issues with certification and licensure. Additionally, having to move on a regular basis can take its toll on financial security because of the less-than-stable housing market. 

Help available
While Biden hinted that the plight of the military family may not get as much attention as it deserves from the civilian population, they have resources available to them, especially through the Joining Forces initiative. For one, the program has helped spur changes that make it easier for spouses to find training programs that help them, as well as their husbands or wives, land jobs. 

Physical therapy comes in many different forms, and a new bill being proposed in Congress could make sure that TRICARE covers all kinds of treatment. The legislation, sponsored by a trio of lawmakers, would make sure that the popular health benefits program covers any physical therapy recommended by physicians regardless of whether it is deemed experimental, Military Times reports. 

The issue came to the forefront last year when Kaitlyn Samuels, the 16-year-old daughter of Navy Capt. Mark Samuels, was denied coverage for horse therapy, which had proven to be effective at managing the symptoms of cerebral palsy. The coverage stopped after the therapy was deemed experimental, but this proposed legislation would change that restriction and open up new channels of treatments to many troops and their families. 

"Our bill simply corrects discrimination and would ensure that beneficiaries receive rehabilitative therapies that are prescribed by a patient's physician and included in a patient's individualized plan of care authorized by his or her physical therapist," Congressman Michael Burgess, one of the bill's sponsors, wrote to fellow lawmakers.

Should the bill become law, it could have a far reaching impact on many servicemembers and veterans living with PTSD and other conditions. Specifically, a growing body of evidence suggests that therapy dogs can help manage PTSD symptoms by boosting levels of the hormone oxytocin, according to Smithsonian magazine. 

Frequent moves are one of the greatest challenges the military community faces. Known as permanent changes of station (PCS), not only can they be stressful, but the moves often cause significant financial concerns. So it should come as no surprise that approximately half of the complaints the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) receives from veterans and servicemembers relate to issues such as mortgages and foreclosures, according to Military Times.

Complaints don't tell the whole story
The figures come from an analysis of data by the CFPB's Office of Servicemember Affairs and revealed that more than 3,400 complaints received in 2012 were from troops, their family members or veterans. While that comprises just about 4 percent of the total complaints received, officials say the issues could be particularly troubling for troops. Specifically, servicemembers have to move more regularly than the civilian population, which means problems relating to mortgages, loans and other payments could have a greater impact on them. Still, Holly Petraeus, the assistant director of the Office of Servicemember Affairs, says more analysis is needed to know exactly what these findings mean.

"I'd like to have more complaints in there before we start drawing conclusions," she told the publication. "With more complaints, maybe their profile won't be the same."

Increasing legislative efforts
Over the last several years there has been an increasing effort on the part of lawmakers to ensure that predatory lenders are less capable of targeting servicemembers who may already be struggling financially. In fact, Petraeus was recently making the rounds to speak to troops about the importance of vigilance when it comes to these unscrupulous practices. In April, she spoke at Fort Bliss in Texas to discuss the role financial security plays in readiness reports CBS affiliate KENS.

"It's a readiness issue," she told the gathered crowd. "The number one cause for servicemembers losing their security clearance is for financial reasons."

More than just mortgages
While mortgages complaints topped the list, the analysis revealed some other interesting findings regarding what is causing troops the greatest financial issues. Approximately 20 percent related to concerns surrounding credit cards while 4 percent related to student loans. Officials say that about 10 percent of these complaints resulted in troops receiving some form of financial assistance. 

Since she launched the Joining Forces initiative, first lady Michelle Obama has been one of the leading advocates for helping members of the military community find fulfilling employment opportunities. On Monday, she announced the creation of the IT Training and Certification Partnership – a push to help servicemembers earn certification for information technology (IT) jobs so they can land employment soon after separating from service. 

A year in the making
The new program, which is a public-private collaboration, comes after the Department of Defense (DOD) created the Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force last year in an effort to identify where servicemembers transitioning to civilian life can find jobs. Not only that, but the task force was focused on making it easier for troops to gain access to licensing and credentialing programs. Officials hope that the partnership will provide job opportunities to around 161,000 servicemembers.

Big names contributing 
The partnership includes some of the biggest names in the IT world. Microsoft has said that it will not only provide 500 exam vouchers to help servicemembers earn certifications, but it will also partially underwrite the expenses associated with its training programs Hewlett-Packard has also thrown its hat in the ring with the HP ExpertOne program. This initiative is meant to provide servicemember s with hands-on experiences that will help them find jobs once they leave the Armed Forces. Other well-known companies playing a role include Oracle, Cisco Systems and NetApp.

Efforts made on a smaller level
While the most recent partnership is on a large scale, states are making efforts on their own to help lower the unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans. For instance, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013 into law earlier this month, and Obama was by his side for the ceremony. Much like the IT Training and Certification Partnership, the bill was designed to make the certification process easier and less complicated. 

"This is about improving the financial security for thousands of military families," Obama said during the bill signing. "It's about giving veterans and their spouses an opportunity to build their careers and create a better future for their children."

For troops that already have certification, part of the challenge is finding employers in need of new workers. AFBA's Career Center makes that easier by connection troops with companies that are actively hiring.