Advocates for veterans need to network for a reason

An interesting exchange of emails caused this posting. It was from another dedicated advocate for veterans. Apparently there is confusion on the fact advocates do not always agree on everything. While we all agree the troops and veterans need a lot more help than the government is providing, we do not always agree on all the services they need.
We agree they need mental health professionals and medication for the most part but some advocates push for different programs that have helped them personally. While this does not mean the treatment will work on all veterans, it works for some. That's the point we all seem to miss.
They are as different as we are. What works on you may not work for someone turning to you for help. You need to be aware of all options and not just the one you seem to favor. Have a network of services available. Listen to the veteran and find out what comes with them. Ask them questions if you are not sure. Then try to direct them to where they can get what they need.
If they are a spiritual person, then direct them to someone that is dealing with the mind-body-spirit connection. You do not want to send them to someone that has no understanding just as you do not want to send an atheist to a minister. Keep them in their comfort zone.
While I get request for help from all walks of life, I struggle with this on a daily basis. The temptation to share the spiritual beliefs I have is strong but avoided as best as I can. In the cases of veterans with no faith, I must address the need as a human so they understand that PTSD is a human wound and a normal reaction to what they've been through. Most of my videos address a general population but I have a few on the spiritual connection. While I find it more helpful to incorporate every aspect of what makes them "them" I have to listen to where they are and let them lead the way.
There have been times over the years when they have returned to a faith in God and reconnected. These veterans were from many different faiths. While I've made an effort to study different faiths, my understanding of them is limited. I try to find others doing this work within the faith the veteran has a relationship with. If the veteran is not comfortable with this then I try to find the answer they need from a network of other advocates. Other advocates refer Christians to me because I address the need of all denominations with more understanding than I have for other faiths. We all fill a need.
While treatment is not one size fits all in the medical community, advocates need to acknowledge this as well. We cannot be all to all veterans just as one medication may work on some but fail for others. Just as you wouldn't send someone without legs to a podiatrist just because they need to see a doctor, you wouldn't send someone to anyone they do not need. We need to work together for their sake.