Engaging with Veterans: Key Considerations

Unsure how to communicate with people who have experienced war?

Get useful tips for respectful and appropriate engagement in an interactive simulator designed for the educational initiative «People with Combat Experience. Dignity. Interaction».

For example:

* at night, you wake up to your partner, who has returned from the front lines, pushing you roughly. He is not aware that he is home and continues to «fight» in his sleep. What should you do next?

* at work, a veteran colleague starts making jokes about dark topics such as death or war. How should you respond?

The simulator will provide several options for action and explanations from an expert, helping you understand how your behavior can influence your interaction with someone who has war experience.

Always remember that each person’s experience is unique and requires an individualized approach. If you’re unsure how to act, be open, tolerant, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Find more information on how to interact correctly with veterans in the educational initiative «People with Combat Experience. Dignity. Interaction», available on the Diya.Education platform and the YouTube channel «How Are You?»

This educational initiative was created by the Ministry of Digital Transformation as part of the communication campaign «How Are You?» of the National Mental Health Program initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska. The project continues the section of the «Barrier-Free Guide» — a guide to effective 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 — a member of the «Business Without Barriers» community.