LCpl Private RallyPoint Member 3236215 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div> 2018-01-07T20:43:27-05:00 LCpl Private RallyPoint Member 3236215

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2018-01-07T20:43:27-05:00 2018-01-07T20:43:27-05:00 SFC Greg Bruorton 3236235

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Sometimes other service members see themselves in that same dilemma and still cannot offer consolation. It&#39;s like when someone close dies; what are the best words to use for the grieving loved one? Most of the time we can only offer silence and a held hand. It is best to have genuine empathy before commenting on the one in distress, but often an embrace will help.

2018-01-07T20:50:37-05:00 2018-01-07T20:50:37-05:00 SGM Bill Frazer 3236304

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>How do you respond if everyone is suppose a rock hard stud? It&#39;s hard to admit needing help to others, that&#39;s why we have the highest suicide rate in the nation.

2018-01-07T21:27:33-05:00 2018-01-07T21:27:33-05:00 SSgt Dan Montague 3236406

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I first came in, being emotionally distressed was a sign of weakness. If some Marine had issues the plt Sgt would offer his web belt to him. It was horrible because so many did. The idea of being seen as week if you have issues is still around and it needs to be done away with.

2018-01-07T22:12:29-05:00 2018-01-07T22:12:29-05:00 Sgt Private RallyPoint Member 3236448

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Are you seeing fellow Marines in emotional distress and asking them if they want to talk? Please elaborate on your experiences. I served from 1968 to 1972, and weakness was not tolerated. During my civilian career, I worked 33 years at a demanding high stress job because I loved the work and believed in the mission. Mental toughness helped me endure the bad times and have a successful career.

2018-01-07T22:35:00-05:00 2018-01-07T22:35:00-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 3237204

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There are several reasons. People may not want to seem like they&#39;re &quot;prying&quot;. For a lot of people (men especially) emotional distress is seen as weakness. So some may stay away because they see the person as weak OR, they may stay away because they really do care for the person and don&#39;t want to embarrass them. They may feel that if they say something they&#39;ll be validating their weakness. Women, in my experience, are much better at this than men. I marvel at the way the women in my life can just open up to each other and pour out every emotion. I&#39;m admittedly very bad at it. When I get emotional, I distance myself from others, bottle it up, and try to work past it myself. Even with a very trusted friend nearby the situation has to be perfect for me to open up. This brings me to another reason someone may not reach out to others. They feel like since they can&#39;t handle it very well, what good can they do for someone else.

2018-01-08T08:59:26-05:00 2018-01-08T08:59:26-05:00 SSgt William Schooley 3237945

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>It shouldn’t be, I have IGY6 tattooed on my wrist to telegraph I’m here for you. If I see a fellow Vet in trouble what he/she is going to offend if I ask “are you ok?” So maybe they are pissed I would rather they be pissed than than join the 22 a day.

2018-01-08T13:02:22-05:00 2018-01-08T13:02:22-05:00 LCDR Private RallyPoint Member 3292487

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don&#39;t find it hard at all. It is first (as opposed to second) nature for me-- but then, as CPT Everett pointed out-- I am a female. I use my &#39;gentle gender&#39; as a tool to seek out and help my fellow servicemembers. Senior, peers, junior-- doesn&#39;t matter. The &#39;tough guys&#39; (up to and including recon-Marine types) are more willing to open up to me and let it out. <br /><br />The problem is, if I walk behind a closed door one-on-one with a male, the immediate assumption is that something &#39;unprofessional&#39; is going on behind that closed door. While I&#39;m not going to deny that there are plenty of people whose inappropriate actions legitimize &#39;open door policies&#39;, it makes it very risky for me to lend that shoulder to cry on to those who would never dare open up if they thought anyone would ever see it. (I&#39;m talking specifically on a ship-environment.) It is a risk I&#39;ve taken many, many times, and that I&#39;ve never regretted. It is unfortunate that I have to assume &#39;risk&#39; to do it.

2018-01-25T14:32:43-05:00 2018-01-25T14:32:43-05:00 2018-01-07T20:43:27-05:00