Living a life less ordinary: What can the families of essential workers responding to COVID-19 learn from UK military families?

Occupational stressors raised by the COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact on the short and long-term mental health of essential workers as well as that of their family members Given the lack of research in this area, refl ecting on similarities in the experiences of military families could help identify ways to help support the families of COVID-19 essential workers This article presents an overview of United Kingdom research on the experiences of military families during separations and the corresponding impacts on their mental health, psychological well-being, and relationships It considers what helps military families cope during challenging times and discusses lessons that could be adapted from the military community and applied to COVID-19 workers to support families of other occupational groups during times of increased stress and pressure Lessons learned are applicable not only to those responding to the COVID-19 pandemic but also to similar future events © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health 27 the Minister of National Defence, 2020