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(Narrator) Veterans face many unique challenges,
from experiences of combat and deployments far from home,
to reintegrating back into civilian life.
Some Veterans might begin to feel overwhelmed
by these challenges,
and may not know where to turn for support.
But, each of us can make a difference
in the life of a Veteran who is feeling stressed,
anxious, or hopeless.
One connection can be a pivotal step
in helping a Veteran in need.
The Department of Veterans Affairs
has a toolkit that can help you get started.
The toolkit is available online and provides information
about common challenges Veterans face
and resources VA provides for both Veterans in need
and those who care about them:
friends, family members, co-workers, and others.
The toolkit also provides concrete “how to” information,
including how to talk to a Veteran
about their emotional health, distress, or even suicide.
Having these discussions can be difficult,
but the simple act of starting a conversation
can be the turning point
that helps a Veteran get the care they need
and can help save a life.
Often, people worry that without special training they
might say the wrong thing,
but you don’t have to be an expert to share your concern
for a Veteran who’s struggling.
Opening up a line of communication is the first step.
We hope the resources available in this toolkit empower you
to start that conversation.
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(whistling)
- Hey, Michael!
How you doing, man?
Great to see you! - Hi, Dave, nice to see you.
- Good to see you.
Man, we have missed you at services,
and especially in the choir.
- Yeah, sorry.
I’ve been really busy lately.
- Yeah, sure, sure.
I mean, it’s good to see you.
- Yeah, thanks.
Actually, I can’t stay.
I’m just dropping a few things off for the rummage sale.
- Okay. - I thought maybe
you could use them.
- Wow, well thank you.
I appreciate that.
Man, these things look great.
Oh.
Um, Michael?
These things look quite expensive.
I bet it took you years to collect all these coins.
I mean, don’t they have sentimental value to you?
- Yeah, I used to collect them with my Dad,
but he’s gone now.
- Oh, I know.
Um, I’m sorry.
But, I mean, wouldn’t you wanna hold on
to these to remember him?
- Nah, someone else will just have to come to my place
and clean 'em out after I’m gone.
What’s the point?
- Man, that’s a little way down the road, isn’t it?
I mean, you might want to share these
with your kids some day.
- Nah, you find them a good home.
I gotta run.
- Michael.
(sighs)
Man, it seems that you’ve been letting go
of a lot things that seemed really important to you.
I mean, these coins, the choir, and even our congregation.
(sighs)
Sometimes a person doesn’t realize
that they have many people around them that care,
especially when things are not right,
and even they might wanna help
to figure out what’s not right, you know?
- Sure, I know.
- Well, I wanna help.
So, let me ask you.
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(Narrator) How would you continue the conversation shown
in this video with a Veteran
who is a member of your organization?
Individuals speak to each other in different ways.
What do you think would be the best approach
to speak with a Veteran you are concerned about?
Would you say anything differently
than the way things were said in the video?
Are there characteristics of your group that would help
or hinder the conversation?
For instance, talking about faith and beliefs
might be important for religious group members.
Members of a men’s club, on the other hand,
might choose to focus on themes of strength,
including how seeking help is a sign of strength,
not weakness.
Deciding whether or not to involve others
in the conversation is important.
What factors would you consider before looping others
into the conversation?
How would you involve others in the conversation
if you decided it was in the best interest of the Veteran?
How could you use the information
and resources you learned about in this video
to help a Veteran you know get the care
and support he or she needs?
After starting your conversation with a Veteran,
it’s important to have additional resources available
to address the issues you discussed
and provide concrete next steps.
As a member of a community organization,
resources in this toolkit
that you might find most helpful include the following.
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