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Drop in with Steven & Friends TONIGHT for "Can We Talk?" part of Warriors of Life (WFL)

Join our Volunteer, Air Force Veteran, Peer Support Specialist, and Writer/Author Steven Bates TONIGHT for "Mid-Week Musings!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV). 


We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.



TONIGHT's Topic:  "Can We Talk?"



"Last week we discussed listening, the types of listening, how to listen, and the difference between listening and hearing.  Tonight, we'll continue our discussion on communication with the topic of talking.  What is included in the process of talking, or trying to relay an idea, point, theory, or method to someone using your voice?  I emphasize the voice because a lot of communication is non-verbal, such as pointing to an object we need or want, but we are concentrating on verbal communication tonight.  Are there different types of talking? What is the preferred method of talking in your current situation?"


Talking is crucial for mental health, serving as a powerful tool to reduce isolation, break down stigma, and manage stress before it becomes overwhelming. Open communication, whether with trusted loved ones or professionals, helps process emotions, provides validation, and can even trigger "Post-traumatice growth" after traumatic events. 



Key benefits of talking about mental health include:


  • Reduced Isolation and Stigma: Sharing struggles helps Normalize mental health challenges and makes individuals feel less alone, reducing the guilt or shame often associated with mental illness.

  • Emotional Processing and Relief: Verbalizing thoughts and feelings helps individuals make sense of their emotions and reduces internal distress.

  • Early Intervention: Open conversations act as early warning systems, allowing for support before mental health issues worsen.

  • Improved Connection and Support: Talking fosters deeper relationships and enables friends and family to offer better support.

  • Accountability: Regular, open conversations can help individuals stay accountable to their treatment or recovery goals. 

    Mental Health Foundation +6


Whether it's with a therapist, friend, or family member, expressing emotions helps move them from an isolating, internal space to a shared, supportive one. 


Yes, there are many different types of talking, which can be categorized by purpose, structure, and style. Major types include dialogue (exchange of ideas), debate (argumentative), discourse (formal/academic), and diatribe (ranting). Other classifications include practical/goal-oreinted, emotional/supportive, and social/small talk.



Key Classifications of Talking


  • Conversational Styles:

    • Cumulative Talk: Participants build on each other's ideas for consensus and harmony.

    • Disputational Talk: Characterized by disagreement, competition, and individual assertions.

    • Exploratory Talk: A collaborative, critical exchange of ideas to reach a joint understanding.


  • Purpose-Driven Talk:

    • Practical/Functional: Focused on problem-solving, planning, or logistics.

    • Emotional/Empathetic: Focused on sharing feelings and seeking understanding.

    • Social/Small Talk: Casual conversation designed for relationship building.


  • Communication Styles:

    • Assertive: Direct and respectful.

    • Passive: Indirect or avoidant.

    • Aggressive: Hostile or dominant.

    • Passive-Aggressive: Indirectly hostile.


  • Contextual/Situational:

    • Business/Instructional: Formal, informational, and precise.

    • Parentese: High-pitched, melodic speech used with infants.

    • Flirting: Playful, indirect communication expressing attraction.


  • Structural Types:

    • Monologue: One person speaking at length.

    • Dialogue: Two or more people conversing. 


Key Differences in Talking Styles


  • Cooperative Overlapping: An enthusiastic style where speakers talk over each other to show engagement, common in certain cultures.

  • Turn-Talking: More structured, sequential speaking common in formal setting



Talking about mental health is challenging because it often requires navigating a complex mix of societal stigma, internalized shame, and cultural expectations. Despite its prevalence—affecting 1 in 5 people—mental health remains uniquely difficult to discuss compared to physical health due to the following factors:


1. Societal and Self-Stigma


The most significant barrier is often the fear of how others will react. 


  • Fear of Judgment: Many worry they will be labeled as "weak," "unstable," or "dangerous".

  • Self-Stigma: Individuals often internalize these negative societal views, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness.

  • Professional Risks: People frequently fear that disclosure could lead to losing their job, being passed over for promotions, or being treated differently by colleagues. 


2. Cultural and Gender Norms


Socialization plays a massive role in how—and if—we express distress.

 

  • Masculinity Expectations: Men are often taught to prioritize stoicism and self-reliance. Admitting a struggle can feel like a failure to meet traditional masculine ideals, leading men to suppress emotions or express them through "externalizing" behaviors like anger or substance use.

  • Cultural Taboos: In some communities, mental health is a "taboo" topic. For instance, in some Black communities, seeking help can be seen as a sign of being "broken", and in some Asian cultures, it may conflict with values of family honor and emotional restraint.

  • Internalized Burdens: Women may feel pressured to be the "emotional anchor" for their families, leading them to prioritize caregiving over their own mental needs. 


3. Psychological and Communication Barriers


The nature of mental health issues themselves can make talking about them difficult.

 

  • Difficulty Expressing Feelings: It can be hard to find the right words to describe internal distress, especially when symptoms are invisible to others.

  • Fear of Being a Burden: Many individuals avoid opening up because they don't want to "worry" or "upset" their loved ones.

  • Internalized Isolation: Mental health struggles often create a "vicious cycle" where the individual feels so different from others that they believe no one else could possibly understand. 


4. Structural Hurdles


Even when someone is ready to talk, the environment may not be supportive. 


  • Lack of Education: Many people lack the mental health literacy to recognize their own symptoms or to respond empathetically when someone else opens up.

  • Institutional Stigma: Systemic issues, such as lower funding for mental health research or inadequate insurance coverage, reinforce the idea that mental health is less important than physical health. 


Resources like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provide tools to help bridge these communication gaps and foster more open, supportive environments. 


Would you like to know more about how to start a conversation with a friend or family member who might be struggling?



Join Air Force veteran, author, and Peer Support Specialist Steven Bates as we talk about talking with the Warriors for Life Mid-Week Musings Peer Support Group tonight!


Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Mid-Week Musings!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Wednesday (TONIGHT), February 18, 2026, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET



Thank you,


Steven Bates

Air Force Veteran, Writer/Author, Peer Support Specialist, &

Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc.


“Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!”

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