Stop Soldier Suicide Co-Founder, Nick Black, Shares Perspective on Life After Service
Mission, duty, honor, and country are often at the heart of how we think about military service. Yet for those who have served, the journey extends far beyond their time in uniform. Recently, Stop Soldier Suicide Co-Founder and Vice Chairman Nick Black shared reflections on life after service and the lessons he has learned along the way.
“When the bullets start flying, what matters is the person to your left and right, ” says Nick. “You’re fighting for each other more than anything else.”
That bond, often formed under pressure, in moments most people will never experience, doesn’t just disappear when service ends. In many ways, it becomes one of the most defining parts of a veteran’s life.
And losing that daily connection can be one of the hardest transitions of all.
Typically, combat is often portrayed in extremes: either heroic or traumatic. But the truth is more nuanced.
“It changes you,” he says. “Not necessarily in a dramatic, Hollywood way. It’s more subtle than that.”
There are habits that linger—always sitting facing the door, always scanning a room. Not out of fear, but because it’s ingrained. It becomes second nature.
At the same time, that experience can also bring growth.
“I’ve heard a lot about post-traumatic stress, but someone once mentioned post-traumatic growth, and that stuck with me. It can make you stronger, more resilient, and more appreciative of life and relationships.”
Veterans are not broken. They are shaped by a unique and often intense human experience.
And more than anything, they want to be seen that way.
When it comes to veteran suicide, there’s a growing recognition that what we’re doing isn’t enough.
“It’s still early days in understanding PTSD and suicide prevention,” he explains. “Too often we focus on managing the problem instead of solving it.”
While crisis care is critical, it’s not the full answer. If we want to change outcomes, we have to go upstream, which means reaching people long before they reach a breaking point.
To do so, we must ask harder questions about:
Connection
Purpose
Identity
Community
It also means challenging a dangerous assumption: that veteran suicide is inevitable.
“I don’t believe it is,” Nick says. “I believe we can get to a place where veterans are no more likely to take their own lives than anyone else in America.”
The path forward isn’t about doing more for the sake of activity. It’s about doing what works—focusing on outcomes and building solutions that truly move the needle.
One of the most difficult shifts for veterans is the sudden loss of built-in community.
In the military, you serve alongside people from vastly different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences, yet all are united by a shared mission.
And then one day, it ends. Everyone goes home. The daily camaraderie disappears.
“I haven’t done a great job of staying in touch with a lot of the guys I served with,” he admits. “I wish I had.”
That experience is common. Life moves fast. People drift apart.
But the need for connection doesn’t go away.
Whether it’s fellow veterans, family, friends, or even something as simple as the steady presence of a pet, connection plays a critical role.
“For me, my dogs help a lot,” Nick shares. “They just show up every day. And sometimes that consistency matters more than people realize.”
When it comes to supporting veterans—or anyone, really—the solution isn’t always complex.Sometimes, it’s as simple as reaching out.
“Call them. Seriously, it’s that simple.”
Not just when you’re worried. Not just in moments of crisis.
Call anyway. Send a text. Do a buddy check. Let someone know you were thinking about them.
“We underestimate how powerful small moments of connection can be,” he says. “Most people aren’t looking for the perfect conversation. They just want to know that someone cared enough to reach out.”
At its core, this isn’t just about veterans.
It’s about people.
It’s about the universal need to feel seen, connected, and supported.
And it’s about recognizing that small, consistent actions, taken together, can make a life-changing difference. Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is simply show up.