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 The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is grateful to our more than 1,500 employees who have chosen a career serving those who have served. The month of May offers an opportunity to recognize all of our staff through several special weeks.
We celebrate all of our Veterans Homes? staff the week of May 14 - 20 during the annual Minnesota Veterans Homes Week. Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and known nationally as Skilled Nursing Care Week, this week recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America?s frail, elderly, and disabled.
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The Preston Veterans Home will be hosting its first local career fair during Preston Trout Days 2023!
The future Preston Veterans Home will offer meaningful career opportunities, competitive wages, generous benefits and a welcoming environment. Stop by and learn about open positions, meet Home leaders and enjoy refreshments.
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 All three of our Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries will be holding Memorial Day events, open to the public, on Sunday, May 28 starting at 1:30 p.m.
Information and program schedules specific to each cemetery are available below:
For over 12 years, the award-winning Minnesota Military Radio (MMR) has been the forum for retelling the stories of Minnesota?s heroes. Vietnam Veteran and volunteer host Tom Lyons shares these stories which are carried on 65 broadcasting stations throughout the state of Minnesota in an effort to preserve the stories of our Veterans and keep listeners up to date on things happening at MDVA and in our Veteran Community here in Minnesota.
Coming up this week we meet the new Commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing, talk about the State Veterans Cemeteries with the Deputy Director for Memorial Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and get an update from the MN Patriot Guard.
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Self-care and professional care: When to ask for help
Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
The National Institute of Mental Health describes how self-care can benefit individuals, including Veterans, with strategies for dealing with depression and anxiety: ?Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.?
When to seek professional help
If you feel overwhelmed by stress, are unable to control your emotions or can?t function well because of depression, it may be time to seek professional care.
Your primary care provider can help you determine if a referral to a mental health provider would be beneficial. Engaging in more formal services can help you:
- develop plans for solving problems
- feel stronger in the face of challenges
- change behaviors that hold you back
- look at ways of thinking that affect how you feel
- heal pains from your past
- figure out your goals
- build self-confidence
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults.
You?ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You?ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
This class will be held virtually and requires two hours of self-paced pre-coursework before attending the five-hour, instructor-led,? virtual portion of the class.
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The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington, D.C. This traveling exhibit allows visitors to view the more than 58,000 names of the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War.
The Wall That Heals will be on display at St. Thomas Academy, and is open to the public at no cost. The Wall will be on display Friday, May 26 starting at 2 p.m. through Monday, May 29 at 2 p.m.
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The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.
The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions the VA assumes (or ?presumes?) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps provide generations of Veterans?and their survivors?with the care and benefits they?ve earned and deserve.
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The Veterans Crisis Line's new number?988 then Press 1?helps make it easier to remember and share the number to access help in times of need.
Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As part of the law, all telephone service providers in the U.S. had to activate the number no later than July 16, 2022.
Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number?1-800-273-8255 and Press 1?by text (838255), and through chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
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Minnesota Veterans who served sometime between September 11, 2001, and August 30, 2021 may be eligible for a Post-9/11 Service Bonus. More than 17,000 Minnesota Veterans who served in the Global War on Terrorism have already received bonuses totaling $18.5 million in recognition of their service.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is distributing nearly $25 million in bonuses. As of late November, $18.5 million has been awarded. Eligible Veterans are paid on a first-come, first-served basis, so Veterans should apply today before the funds are gone.
To apply, visit MinnesotaVeteran.org/ServiceBonus.
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If you know of a Veteran-related community event happening in your area you would like to submit to be included in our Friday Digest, please email all event information to [email protected] for consideration.
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