What NOT to say to a Veteran struggling with challenges related to mental health and wellness

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Hello again, faithful Head Space and Timing readers and listeners. I'd like your feedback on another project I'm working on. At the beginning of 2017, I wrote an article, "This Is How To Respond to a Veteran Contemplating Suicide," featured on Task & Purpose. You can see the article here: http://veteranmentalhealth.com/2017/02/17/a-resource-for-how-to-respond-to-a-veteran-contemplating-suicide/

In some of the discussions that have arisen out of this article, I have been reminded that there are some things that should NOT be said when a veteran is considering taking their own life, and things that veterans have actually heard from friends and family. I'd like to give you an opportunity to share some of those thoughts and statements, anonymously. Please be as candid as you can, and I will use some of these responses in another upcoming article.

Sometimes, family and friends may not understand what a veteran is struggling with. What is something that someone has said to you, or something that you heard someone say to another veteran, regarding depression, substance abuse, PTSD, etc.?

I have often heard veterans talk about challenges in seeking employment, especially regarding attitudes towards mental health. What are some things that you have heard employers, potential employers, and coworkers say about these concerns?

As a veteran and a mental health counselor, it is my sincere hope that all mental health professionals assume a nonjudgmental and supportive attitude regarding clients they work with, but this is not always the case. What is something that you have heard from a mental health professional that rubbed you the wrong way?

Veteran suicide is an epidemic of national and international proportions, but not everyone is as sensitive about the issue as they maybe should be. What are some things that you have heard, or heard said to other veterans, regarding their own contemplation of taking their life?

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