Bemidji
Fergus Falls
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Minneapolis
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For over 10 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 discuss cardiovascular care and American Heart Month at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, learn about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon's objectives for 2023 and get an update from the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
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The Federal VA recently announced that Veterans in critical suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency healthcare at no cost ? including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit.
?Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency healthcare they deserve ? no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they?re enrolled in VA care,? said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. ?This expansion of care will save Veterans? lives, and there?s nothing more important than that.?
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Suicide is an urgent healthcare crisis touching far too many Minnesotans in the agricultural community each year. This ?Facing Suicide? event features the Question, Persuade, Respond (QPR) class taught by University of Minnesota Farm Safety & Health Extension Educator Emily Krekelberg, a screening of excerpts from TPT?s new documentary ?Facing Suicide,? and a Q & A with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Minnesota suicide prevention staff.
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The Saint Peter Community Center will be hosting "Military Reflections" - a series of military and Veteran focused events and programs through the spring of 2023.
This program is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
All programs will be held at the Saint Peter Community Center.
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This multi-species ice fishing tournament on Medicine Lake in Plymouth is to honor Veterans and their families.
Prizes will be given to the top two lengths in each of the following species: walleye, northern/pike, bass (large and small), sunfish, crappie and perch.
Veterans and their immediate family members (spouse and children) will receive one free hole to fish from.
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Suicide is preventable. Anyone can make a difference. This two-day suicide intervention workshop in Fergus Falls helps teach and practice a life-saving intervention model that is widely used by professionals and the general public.
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'Signs, Ask, Validate, Encourage/Expedite' is an introductory, gatekeeper training where participants learn how to act with care and compassion when encountering someone in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Join via MS Teams Thursdays in January, February, and March:
- 2/16/23 5 - 6:30 p.m.
- 3/16/23 5 - 6:30 p.m.
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This workshop in Little Falls is designed to enhance agricultural opportunities for military Veterans who are interested in learning more about growing and farming.
Spouses, partners, and dependents of military Veterans and active duty personnel are also encouraged to attend these events, which are offered in person and in virtual formats.
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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 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 Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has updated their questionnaire on Veteran Employment. Please take a moment to answer the questionnaire so they can better understand how to?to best serve Veterans in finding a rewarding career.
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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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