Some argue that the best substance abuse counselors are former addicts. Many social workers disagree. But could the same argument be made for those counseling veterans? The suicide rate among veterans is very high even for those who have not experienced combat. Why do you think that is? Some believe that returning veterans miss the intense sense of purpose and group solidarity they experienced in the military. What could be done to improve the reintegration of returning veterans into their communities?
e.g., I don't want to see a straight therapist/counselor/doctor. I would much rather see an LGBTQ+ person in any of those situations, because a cisgender heterosexual person can't understand the issues the way another LGBTQ+ person would. While it is our job to be empathetic and work to understand the ways others perceive and interact with the world, it is also very difficult to fully place your foot into the trauma of a marginalized community.
