Why We Must Be Careful in How We Talk About Veteran Suicide

Please read through this important commentary on Veteran Suicide from Psychology Today written by Meaghan Mobbs, a West Point graduate, OEF Veteran, and former Army Captain who is currently an advanced Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Columbia University, Teachers College. Her bottom line, TLDR, summary:
* Don't refer to suicide using the language of a 'spreading illness' (e.g., don't use the word 'epidemic'), as this implies the same powerlessness as 'catching a disease'
* Be ready to help at the critical time: suicide is most common at the time of transition from soldier to civilian life
* Don't try to elevate a Veteran who dies from suicide to martyrdom by implying they were 'sacrificially taking a stand'; suicide is always complex, and these terms conflate it to a laudable protest--a stance that is not helpful to those suffering

As Meaghan writes, "We all have our own part to play, from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to every person with a social media account. Each must wield their respective power and influence in a thoughtful manner, informed by fact, that inspires positive change, discourse, and moves the needle in the right direction."