{"id":8340,"date":"2024-02-27T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8340"},"modified":"2024-02-27T15:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T15:30:00","slug":"what-to-do-if-a-veteran-you-served-with-is-talking-about-suicide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8340","title":{"rendered":"What to do if a Veteran you served with is talking about suicide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"tni-source-date\"><strong>Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-02-27T15:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n<p>Although we were trained to keep our cool in stressful situations, it\u2019s still tough when we face them. After you get out of the military, the situations themselves may change. Dealing with tough times usually doesn\u2019t get any easier.<\/p>\n<p>One example is knowing what to do if someone you served with is talking about suicide. The key is being prepared and knowing how to respond with care and compassion. You can play a crucial role in providing support and making a difference in a Veteran\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to recognize a crisis<\/h2>\n<p>Some actions and behaviors can be a sign a Veteran needs help:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Crisis signs: These require immediate attention. If you or a Veteran you know are experiencing any of these and need medical attention, call 911.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thinking about hurting or killing themselves right now<\/li>\n<li>Looking for ways to kill themselves immediately<\/li>\n<li>Talking about death, dying or suicide<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in self-destructive behavior, such as drug abuse, risky use of weapons, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Warning signs: These may indicate a Veteran needs help. If you or a Veteran you know are experiencing any of these, Dial 988 then Press 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Appearing sad or depressed most of the time<\/li>\n<li>Feeling hopeless<\/li>\n<li>Experiencing anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness or mood swings<\/li>\n<li>Feeling as if there is no reason to live<\/li>\n<li>Feeling excessive guilt, shame or a sense of failure<\/li>\n<li>Experiencing rage or anger<\/li>\n<li>Engaging in risky activities without thinking<\/li>\n<li>Increasing alcohol or drug misuse<\/li>\n<li>Losing interest in hobbies, work or school<\/li>\n<li>Neglecting personal welfare and appearance<\/li>\n<li>Withdrawing from family and friends<\/li>\n<li>Showing violent behavior, like punching a hole in the wall or getting into fights<\/li>\n<li>Giving away prized possessions<\/li>\n<li>Getting affairs in order, tying up loose ends or writing a will<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knowing what to say<\/h2>\n<p>You can support a Veteran going through a difficult time. Here are some things to keep in mind:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make supportive and encouraging comments, but don\u2019t ask invasive personal questions.<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t inject judgment or emotion into the conversation. Stay calm.<\/li>\n<li>Listen more than you speak. Don\u2019t dominate the conversation.<\/li>\n<li>Remind them you are there for them.<\/li>\n<li>Let them decide how much to share.<\/li>\n<li>The first step in determining how you can best help someone struggling is to ask, \u201cAre you thinking about suicide?\u201d If they answer yes, then providing an appropriate level of support and connecting them with resources is the next step.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If they answer no, it\u2019s important to follow up with them and help them with what they need. Asking directly and non-judgmentally will not put the idea of suicide into their head. Instead, they will know they can rely on you if suicide is ever a concern for them.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example of a possible conversation with a Veteran who is talking about suicide:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Veteran: \u201cI can\u2019t go on. My life has no purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You: \u201cI\u2019m really sorry you\u2019re feeling this way. I might not be able to understand exactly what you\u2019re going through or how you feel but I care about you and want to help. Have you thought about reaching out to the Veterans Crisis Line? Responders are available 24\/7 and they\u2019re trained to help you through this challenging time. We can call together if you\u2019d like. I\u2019m here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Veterans Crisis Line offers free, confidential support. You don\u2019t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranscrisisline.net\/get-help-now\/chat\/\" rel=\"noopener\">chat online<\/a> or text 838255.\u00a0Get more information about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veteranscrisisline.net\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Veterans Crisis Line<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: If you believe a Veteran is at high risk of suicide and has already taken pills or harmed themselves, call 911. Above all, keep yourself safe. Never negotiate with someone who has a firearm. Get to safety and call 911, noting the Veteran is armed.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to handle concerning social media posts<\/h2>\n<p>If you use social media platforms, it\u2019s vital to know what to do if you notice content that makes you concerned for a Veteran. Here are steps you can take if you notice a Veteran showing signs of emotional distress on social media:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"1\">\n<li>Shift the conversation to a non-public-facing tool<\/li>\n<li>Validate their feelings<\/li>\n<li>Find common ground<\/li>\n<li>Be authentic and conversational<\/li>\n<li>Provide resources for support<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>For more information and sample posts for each step, check out VA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.va.gov\/suicide_prevention\/docs\/Social-Media-Safety-Toolkit-FINAL-508-5-24-23.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Social Media Safety Toolkit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention<\/h2>\n<p>When responding to a Veteran facing challenges, the most important thing to remember is you don\u2019t have to be an expert, you just need to show you care. By asking a Veteran if they\u2019re thinking about suicide, listening non-judgmentally and connecting them with resources and support, you could be saving their life.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<p class=\"tni-attribution\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/128741\/what-to-do-if-veteran-is-talking-about-suicide\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If a Veteran is talking about suicide, be prepared and know how to respond with care and compassion. You could help save a life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8340","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care","category-mental-health-recovery"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What to do if a Veteran you served with is talking about suicide - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If a Veteran is talking about suicide, be prepared and know how to respond with care and compassion. 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