02/15/2024
I am so tired of hearing about veteran su***de. I'm tired of it happening. Tired of it not being addressed or taken seriously. Tired of POG agencies who pretend to have the best interest of veterans in mind, and all the non-profits who tout "being there." I'm tired of veterans saying they "have no other choice."
Here's an idea...
Earn their trust, build rapport, ASK them, "Are you thinking about checking out?" Is it time to punch that card?
Encourage them to fight the isolation they believe shields them from pain. Challenge them to take responsibility for themselves and push them to see beyond TODAY. Force their hand and make them verbalize what they're going to do, and how it will impact others. Be offensively aggressive and ask them...
Who will find your body? How will they identify you? If you're going to drive into the river which one will it be? Will your life insurance payout? Is your funeral planned? What will this do to the child or paramedic who sees your lifeless body for the first time? Will you write letters to your children, record videos of advice, or leave a memento? How do you plan to replace what has been lost? Who will take your animals? What will this solve?
If you ask these questions and the respondent doesn't have all the answers...there's still hope.
