Give hope this holiday season

In the past, as the holidays approached, I worried about gift buying, digging out decorations and wondering how I’d navigate the obligation of an entire month’s worth of social gatherings.

This year though, I’m determined to do things differently. While many people are going to spend the next few weeks trying to live up to impossible expectations, I’m going to focus on the one thing that could have the most impact on someone’s life, including my own: hope.

Giving hope

Some Veterans I know are very social. Others tend to be more introverted. Some would like to be more social but haven’t been able to find the right balance that works for them.

If you’re more outgoing and know a Veteran who tends to be alone most of the time, consider inviting them to meet up over the holidays. Get together for coffee or maybe see a movie.

If you don’t live close to the Veterans you know, make sure you call or text them regularly. I know from experience that, for many people, the gift of your time means more than any material item you could wrap up for them. And for Veterans who may be struggling around the holidays, knowing they have a support network can reduce their risk for suicide.

Give hope to your Veteran loved ones who may be lonely.

Be prepared to offer support

While talking with your Veteran loved one, they might tell you they’re going through a rough time. This is when you need to take action. Be prepared to listen to what they want to tell you. When it comes to responding to a Veteran, remember that simple, encouraging feedback goes a long way in showing support and encouraging help-seeking:

• “I’m here for you. How do you hurt and how can I help?”
• “I might not be able to understand exactly what you’re going through or how you feel, but I’m here to listen and want to help.”

Make sure they know the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 to help during a crisis. You can even call together. To reach responders 24/7, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat or text 838255.

For more tips on how to have a conversation with a Veteran facing challenges, see our Crisis Conversation Handout.

Know how to find local resources

So far, I’ve talked about what are called “upstream” resources. These are resources that are supposed to help Veterans before a crisis strikes.

Another upstream resource that’s helpful for Veterans and those who care about them is our Resource Locator tool, which is a guide to clinical resources like VA’s suicide prevention coordinators, crisis centers, medical centers, outpatient clinics, Vet Centers and benefits offices.

To use this tool, visit the Local Resources page on the Veterans Crisis Line website. Scroll down to the “Search Local VA Resources” box. Here, you can enter your ZIP code and distance parameters. You can search from 10-300 miles from your ZIP code.

No matter what the Veteran you care about is experiencing, VA can connect them with resources and support systems to help.

A simple gesture could be life-changing

It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of the holidays, but you don’t have to let your life revolve around gifts and parties and a never-ending to-do list. This year, give hope to a Veteran you know.

Check in with those you served with. It can be as simple as a phone call or text. If you can, meet up in person. Focus on the things you can’t buy: Time and support. That’s what matters to Veterans facing a challenge.