How to Engage with Veterans: Tips and Guidance
Are you unsure how to communicate with individuals who have experienced war?
Explore recommendations that will help you engage with respect and understanding through an interactive simulator created for the educational series «Veterans: Dignity and Interaction».
For instance:
* in the middle of the night, you wake up to your partner, who has returned from the front lines, suddenly pushing you. He is also awake but does not realize he is home and continues to «fight» as if still asleep. What should you do next?
* at work, a veteran colleague starts making jokes about grim topics such as death, injuries, and war. How should you respond?
The simulator offers several action options and provides explanations from experts, helping you understand how your behavior can impact your interaction with a person who has combat experience.
Remember that each person's experience is unique and requires an individual approach. If you're uncertain about how to act appropriately, be honest, patient, and don't hesitate to ask questions.
For more information on how to properly engage with veterans, check out the educational series «Veterans: Dignity and Interaction», available on the Diia.Education platform and the YouTube channel «How Are You?»
This educational series was created by the Ministry of Digital Transformation as part of the communication campaign «How Are You?» of the nationwide mental health program initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. The project is a continuation of the section «Guide to Barrier-Free Communication» and is implemented with the support of the Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers, the NGO «Barrier-Free», and Visa as a participant in the «Business Without Barriers» community.
