Giving without expecting anything in return isn’t for everyone; we all lead busy lives and need our “head space” time, so this isn’t an issue, however my last few weeks networking have shown me a few worrying cases of negativity that is perhaps best aired here (if this is going to trigger you, please don’t read any futher). I can see why some Veterans may feel isolated because I have noticed:
- How little people know about what veterans go through when they leave the forces and when I tell them, I don’t see any concern from some;
- Others only want to be involved with us if it helps their business;
- A couple have blatently said to me “no one forced them to join up” or “we all have problems in life”.
Those of you who know us will know how unkind (3) feels – I can’t even begin to imagine what these people have experienced in their personal life that appears to have switched off their humanity and empathy.
Because I’m too emotionally involved, here’s the AI collation of why people don’t engage in veteran support:
Misconceptions and Stereotypes
- Mental Health Stigma: Many people have preconceived ideas about veterans struggling with mental health issues, like PTSD, and may feel uncertain about how to interact with or support them. Stereotypes can create a barrier to empathy, making it easier for people to avoid engagement.
- Assumptions About Support: Some people assume veterans receive ample support from the government or private organizations, not realizing that veterans often face significant financial, medical, and social challenges.
2. Political and Social Division
- Mixed Feelings About Military Engagements: Some people feel ambivalent or negative about military actions or wars, which can impact their perception of veterans. For some, the association with controversial military conflicts may lead them to distance themselves from veterans, even though service members are separate from the policies that dictate where and how they serve.
- Social Disconnect: As fewer people have direct military experience or connections to service members, there can be a growing social divide. This lack of personal connection may make it easier for people to overlook or minimize veterans’ struggles.
3. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind”
- Invisible Struggles: Many challenges faced by veterans, such as housing insecurity, mental health issues, or job struggles, often go unnoticed by the general public. Unless people actively engage with veteran-related causes, they might not be aware of the everyday difficulties veterans face.
- Media Representation: While the media occasionally highlights veteran issues, it often focuses on a few cases or reports during specific holidays. This limited coverage can contribute to a lack of awareness or understanding of the scope of the support veterans need.
4. Systemic and Structural Barriers
- Complexity of Veteran Needs: Supporting veterans often requires specialized knowledge of the challenges they face, such as understanding veteran affairs systems, navigating healthcare, or addressing mental health needs. This complexity can discourage some people from getting involved if they don’t feel equipped to help.
- Over-reliance on Government Services: Some people feel that veterans’ needs should be met exclusively by government programmes, assuming that public support isn’t necessary or thinking it’s beyond their capacity to make a meaningful impact.
5. Empathy Fatigue
- Desensitization: People are frequently exposed to many groups in need, from homelessness to mental health issues to various humanitarian crises. Empathy fatigue can set in, causing some to feel overwhelmed or numb to these ongoing needs, making it harder to respond.
- Feeling Overwhelmed by Scale: The number of veterans in need, and the severity of their challenges, can make it seem like the issue is too large to address. When people feel that their help might not make a difference, they might choose not to engage at all.
6. Perceived Lack of Personal Relevance
- Distance from Military Life: For those with no direct connection to the military, the veteran experience can feel distant or abstract, leading to a lack of personal investment. In societies where military service is voluntary and less common, people may feel less connected to veterans’ issues.
- Cultural Shifts: In some cultures, there has been a shift away from honoring military service as a civic duty, which can lead to less recognition of veterans’ unique contributions and sacrifices.
I refuse to end the week on negativity, so to the many who have thanked us for what we do, the ones who have met/are due to meet us, the referrals we have been offered and above all to those who have set up groups on here to share their knowledge, please know that your support is so very much appreciated.
Thank you 🙂
