Minnesota loses more than 100 Veterans per year to suicide. This is a tragedy that is preventable and must be stopped.
Mark your calendar for the 3rd annual Minnesota Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day on Saturday, Oct. 2. The event will be held in St. Cloud’s Wilson Park and will also be livestreamed on the MDVA Facebook page.
- Join St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis to hear about his personal connection to Veteran suicide
- Learn how to identify Veterans at risk
- Receive resources to help combat the tragedy of Veteran suicide
The in-person event begins at 11 a.m. with resources available and the in-person and livestreamed program will begin at 11:30 a.m.
More information >>
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You’re invited to join Redwood Falls residents, Federal, State and County officials, Veterans Service Organization representatives and project supporters as we break ground on the site of the new Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery located at 33752 Noble Avenue in Redwood Falls.
This ceremony honors years of advocacy and thoughtful planning for a new Veterans Cemetery in the western part of our state.
The 77-acre Cemetery is designed to serve 22,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible family members, providing a dignified, respectful eternal resting place close to loved ones that recognizes and honors Veterans’ service and sacrifice to our Nation. When completed, these new hallowed grounds will offer a peaceful, reflective environment with lasting tributes and an overall appearance that is a model of excellence befitting a national shrine.
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The MDVA Tribal Services Program was recently recognized with the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award from the by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA). The award is especially meaningful as the award category – delivery of services to Tribal Governments serving Native American Veterans – is new this year, with MDVA winning the first ever award!
VA Deputy Secretary Donald Remy presented the award at the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) Conference held September 12 - 16. USDVA established the Abraham Lincoln Pillars of Excellence Award to recognize best practices among NASDVA members who have developed effective programs to address the elimination of the five top-line issues of: claims backlog, ending Veterans homelessness, improving access to VA benefits and services, innovative state programs and delivery of services to tribal governments serving Native American Veterans.
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Fergus Falls
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How to Talk About Suicide
The way we talk about suicide can impact the way we think and feel about the issue. If you are worried that someone might be having thoughts of suicide, ask them openly and directly: “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” This lets them know you care and does not put the idea of suicide in their head.
Tips on starting the conversation, asking the questions and how to respond.
- If you observe signs or behaviors that worry you, prepare yourself to ask the question. Become familiar with the support resources and crisis lines in your community.
- Take a deep breath, acknowledge your own feelings and center yourself to have the conversation.
- Create a safe place that provides comfort and safety away from distractions.
- Thank them for sitting down with you and share your observation that are causing you concern. Start with, “I’ve noticed …"
- Ask open-ended questions: “I’d like to understand more about what you’re going through. Can you tell me more?” Practice active listening. Avoid advice-giving and problem-solving.
- When asking the person if they are thinking about suicide, be direct but ask the question with empathy and compassion. “Sometimes when emotional pain is so intense, people think about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide?”
- Observe nonverbal cues, such as body language. If the person says “no” when asked if they are thinking about suicide but seems defensive or avoids eye contact, or their response is not clear, ask follow-up questions.
- If they answer “yes,” thank them for telling you and help connect them with crisis services in your area.
- Follow up. Regardless of how the conversation ended, reconnecting with that person can provide continued support.
- For more information about how to talk to someone about suicide, visit: “How to ask someone about suicide” on the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) website.
Safety planning
A safety plan is a written list of coping strategies and resources to support someone who might need extra mental health support or might be at high risk of suicide. Having a safety plan can provide life-saving guidance in a crisis. To get started making your own plan, check out this Safety Plan Template.
Did you know?
Suicide is the eighth leading cause of death in Minnesota and tenth nationally? Based on preliminary data, 723 Minnesota residents died by suicide in 2020, which is lower than the 830 suicide deaths recorded in 2019.
Sharing how much suicide impacts Minnesota communities can help us prevent it. Together, we can continue to decrease suicides in Minnesota.
Sadly, an average of 100 Minnesota Veterans die by suicide each year. Two-thirds of these deaths are by guns.
To help prevent Veteran suicide MDVA is partnering with the VA Healthcare System to distribute free gun locks. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a locked gun can mean the difference between a tragic outcome and a life saved for someone in crisis. Though Veterans are well-versed in firearm safety, all gun owners should understand that during emotional or stressful times, delaying access to a gun could mean the difference between life and death. Gun locks can prevent someone in crisis from tragically taking their own life
In an effort to reduce these preventable tragedies, MDVA is offering free gun locks. To request a gun lock, please email MDVA.Communications@state.mn.us with your name and address. This information will not be shared; requests are confidential.
Thank you for supporting the efforts of MDVA and the “Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.” For more information on MDVA’s suicide prevention efforts, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/EndVetSuicide.
The Suicide Prevention Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health presents the Suicide Prevention Webinar series. These educational webinars serve as a way to connect and share information. The series includes six webinars with subject matter experts working across the state on these topics:
Sign up here for the Suicide Prevention Webinar Series.
Please contact the organizers: Shelly Dieu at shelly.dieu@state.mn.us or Tanya Carter at tanya.carter@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and subsequent Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs has created a commemorative coin as an expression of appreciation to Minnesota Veterans who have served since that fateful day. These coins are a limited edition and available for a short time.
Minnesota GWOT Veterans are invited to register for this free coin by visiting https://bit.ly/GWOTvetcoin (registration site works best using Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox). If you’re having trouble registering please e-mail mdva.communications@state.mn.us.
Coins will be distributed by County Veterans Services Officers.
The application period is now open for the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs “SOT Grants.” The grants are available to qualified organizations that support Minnesota Veterans. The grant application period is open August 30 through September 24, 2021. SOT grant applications may be submitted any time during this period.
MDVA launched the Support Our Troops (SOT) grant program in 2016. The grants are financed from sales of the Minnesota "Support Our Troops" License Plates. Minnesota organizations with programs designed to “support and improve the lives of Veterans and their families” may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
The SOT grant application is available on the MDVA website at MinnesotaVeteran.org/Grants during the open grant cycle. Detailed instructions for how to apply are outlined in the application.
Interested organizations may also sign-up here to receive alerts for future grant applications periods.
Older adults are one of Minnesota’s most valuable resources. Age-Friendly Minnesota wants to hear what you have to say about what you want and need in your community as you grow older that will help ensure you can age well.
The results of the survey will be used to set priorities and develop strategies for plans, policies, and services that ensure that all Minnesotans can thrive across the lifespan. Results will be used by the State of Minnesota as well as by regions, sovereign nations, and community organizations.
This survey has 10 sections will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Take the survey here >>
VA is extending debt relief for Veterans through September 30, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. VA will suspend collection of all Veteran benefit overpayments incurred between April 6, 2020, and September 30, 2021. No adverse actions or collection attempts will occur during this suspension period. Additionally, all co-payments for medical care and pharmacy services incurred from April 6, 2020, through September 30, 2021, will be cancelled, along with any fees or interest. Any payments for this time period will be refunded.
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We can see the end of this pandemic, but we are not quite there yet. We will take concrete steps to keep Minnesotans safe while we get the vaccine to even more people.
The latest COVID-19 updates from the Governor's office are available at mn.gov/covid19.
MDVA's latest COVID-19 updates can be found at MinnesotaVeteran.org/COVID.
All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and clinics that administer COVID-19 vaccines are accepting walk-ins for eligible Veterans, spouses and caregivers.
This walk-in service ensures all Veterans enrolled in VA health care and those authorized under the SAVE LIVES Act have an opportunity to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from VA at a time convenient for them.
The urgency to vaccinate as many eligible individuals as quickly as possible remains a top priority for VA.
“VA encourages those who wish to get their COVID-19 vaccine without an appointment to check the walk-in hours and requirements at their local facility,” said Acting VA Under Secretary for Health Richard Stone, M.D. “ Individuals taking advantage of walk-in vaccinations may need to wait for the vaccine to be prepared and will be screened when entering the facility.”
To date, VA has vaccinated more than 2.7 million individuals, including over 60,000 individuals under the SAVE LIVES Act. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations at VA, click here.
VA vaccination clinics are not open 24 hours. Face masks are mandatory for all and physical distancing measures will be in place.
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