We know that being connected is a powerful way to decrease isolation and reduce suicide risk. How do we engage veterans and make that happen?

Lt Col Charlie Brown don't know the perfect solution, but I have found veterans helping veterans, one on one, developing friendship, very much hands on.

Don't let a brother or sister carry their ghosts alone. Veterans often open up quicker and deeper to another veteran who can cry with them, laugh with them, identify with them. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Vets turn to all kinds of “tribes” after they complete their service. Some find good, some find bad, it is all circumstance. My wife is active duty, we have had many suicide prevention classes. Seen it fail time and time again when the clues are either ignored or unseen. What can be done if someone wants to do this and sends out no signals or signs? Very unfortunate I feel... How can this process be improved upon, interesting question I have no answer for.

I talk to several veterans during the month, I listen to what they have to say, offer minor suggestions.

Very interesting article, and I like the three pillars concept, "health, purpose and people". I think "purpose" is what needs to be looked at when tackling this problem. When service members exit the force for whatever reason, we tend to lose that sense of purpose, especially those who made the military a career. I went through a similar phase for a while until I started working again. But what about those that can't work? I can't imagine been stuck in your home all day...I would go out of my mind.
The article is correct, there many programs available for veterans, we just have to do our best to open our minds and receive the help. Not to be negative, but we could do all we want to help, but if the "receiver" is not ready to receive, the help becomes ineffective. I was guilty myself every time I came back from a deployment when I just wanted to get Soldier Readiness Processing, better known as SRP process done and over with. Instead of seeking some help, I checked the block and kept it moving.
Finally, finding a "tribe" is very important, but could also be a little difficult for some, physically or mentally. But in my opinion, it boils down to what our purpose is once we exit the military. Once we find that purpose, everything else can fall into place.

Lt Col Charlie Brown This article is very intriguing. I find much of the research hit very close to home. My daughter is a PHD candidate in Psychology and she is focusing on PTSD. I have told her more than a few times that there is an entire category of PTSD that follows retirees. Especially enlisted who tend to join very young, and develop their personality within the "tribe". At some point you are removed from the tribe and then what? It was particularly hard for me to adjust as I left one VERY important goal on the table when I retired. I seem to have weathered the worst of it, but I still struggle to re-develop my fitness and general physical wellbeing. But as long as I never quit, I am never done! This forum has been especially helpful in my transition!

MSgt Stephen Council LTC Stephen Conway LTC Stephen C. PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Jeff Shearer Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth Cpl Scott McCarroll PO3 Bob McCord Sgt Randy Wilber SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Dave Hoover Capt Dwayne Conyers MSgt David Hoffman TSgt David L. Sgt David G Duchesneau SPC Diana D. MSgt Heather D. SPC Margaret Higgins SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth

I don't think there is any one solution to this, we need a great aray of solutions. i would like to see it start with our veteran groups checking on veterans not in their circles and ensureing they are doing ok.

Folks need to reach out and ask for help. We go to war as a team, we come home as a team and we survive as a team. My thoughts and words on it anyway.

I have been out for many years, but it seems to be the same culture, train as a team, work as a team, leave solo... Future vets need more info on their "homeward deployment". They may need to set up a meeting to get them friends on the outside to help with the transition.

Lots of volunteer and hobby type activities out there, but even just one acquaintance who wants to explore them with the veteran would help. Maybe one of those neighborhood websites like "nextdoor" would give a vet the chance to meet a neighbor.....