Military children may face stress during moves, deployments, separations, and reunions. Families can use the resources below to find support. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For an emotional or mental health crisis, call or text 988 at any time.
Support at St. Patrick Catholic School
Military children bring strengths and experiences that enrich our school community. They may also need extra support during a move, a deployment, a reunion, or another change at home. At St. Patrick Catholic School, we want each child to feel known, welcomed, and connected.
A welcoming start. Our Irish Ambassador program helps new students become familiar with the campus, school routines, activities, and the people they can turn to for help. Student ambassadors offer friendship and introductions to other students. The program is led by the principal, assistant principal, and administrative assistant, who remain available as families settle in.
Support throughout the school day. Families are encouraged to tell us when a military transition may be affecting their child. Working with parents and teachers, school leadership can check in with the student, help them build connections, and consider appropriate support within our school setting. We recognize that children respond to change in different ways, and we will listen without asking a child to share more than they are comfortable sharing.
A team approach with families. Parents know their children best. If you notice changes in your child’s mood, friendships, schoolwork, or behavior, please contact the school. Together, we can discuss what you are seeing, identify a trusted adult at school, and determine whether a community or military family resource may be helpful. When families would like faith-informed support, we can also point them to the Diocese of St. Augustine’s Office of Family Life and its Catholic Therapist Network.
Irish Ambassadors are friends and guides, not counselors. They are taught to respect privacy and to tell an adult if a student may be unsafe, seriously upset, bullied, threatened, or harmed. School staff will respond to safety concerns and help families connect with appropriate professional care when needed.
To discuss support for your child, please contact the St. Patrick Catholic School office at 904-768-6323. You can also contact Chris Meyer, principal, at cmeyer@spcsjax.org, or Athena Blanchard, assistant principal, at ablanchard@spcsjax.org.
Federal and military resources
| Resource | How it can help |
|---|---|
| Military OneSource: Child and Teen Counseling | Free counseling for eligible teens ages 13–17, and family counseling for children ages 6–12 with a parent present. Call 800-342-9647 to ask about services and eligibility. militaryonesource.mil |
| Military and Family Life Counselor Locator | Find a counselor who can help military children and families with deployment, moves, relationships, and other challenges of military life. militaryonesource.mil |
| TRICARE Mental Health Care | Learn about covered mental health treatment and how to arrange care for an eligible child. Referral rules depend on the family’s plan and type of care. tricare.mil |
| Veterans Crisis Line | Veterans, service members, and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 or text 838255 for specialized crisis support. 988 Lifeline |
Florida resources
| Resource | How it can help |
|---|---|
| 988 Florida Lifeline | Free, 24-hour crisis support by calling or texting 988. myflfamilies.com |
| Florida Mobile Response Teams | Teams can respond to a serious behavioral health crisis at a home, school, or other location. Families can call 988 to seek crisis help and connection to appropriate local services. Florida DCF |
| Florida Department of Health Mental Health Resources | A starting point for statewide mental health resources, including 211 for help locating community services. floridahealth.gov |
| Florida Military Family Resources | School transition information and links to military school liaisons. This is useful when a move or school change is adding to a child’s stress. origin.fldoe.org |
Jacksonville and Duval County resources
| Resource | How it can help |
|---|---|
| Child Guidance Center | Counseling and support for children, adolescents, and families. Its Duval County Rapid Response Team provides crisis assistance for all ages, 24/7 at 904-982-4911. cgcjax.org |
| Wolfson Children’s Behavioral Health | Its free, 24-hour Kids & Teens Helpline offers telephone assessment, crisis support, and referrals for parents and young people: 904-202-7900. wolfsonchildrens.com |
| NAMI Jacksonville | Free family education and support groups. Its non-emergency helpline, 904-323-4723, can help families find mental health information and local resources. namijacksonvillefl.org |
| NAS Jacksonville Fleet and Family Support Center | Counseling, deployment and relocation support, and referrals for eligible Navy families. Its School Liaison can also help with school transitions. navymwrjacksonville.com |
| Naval Station Mayport Fleet and Family Support Center | Installation-based family support and referrals. Call 904-270-6600, ext. 1701. navymwrmayport.com |
| Youth Crisis Center | Crisis care, counseling, and family services for youth. Families can call 904-725-6662 to discuss an immediate youth crisis and available services. |
| Diocese of St. Augustine Office of Family Life | Offers family life resources and a Catholic Therapist Network listing local mental health professionals who have completed diocesan training about the Catholic faith. Families should contact a provider directly to ask about care for children, availability, and insurance. |
