St. Cloud V.A.

Flu season is rolling in, and our local veterans have some great options to stay healthy this October. Let's hear what the V.A. has planned.

As August winds down, communities gather to shine a light on overdoses and the importance of understanding and compassion in the face of this crisis.

Dr. Jurek sheds light on how depression can quietly take over lives, affecting everything from sleep to daily joys.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering veterans opportunities to buy a T-Shirt as part of the annual Clothesline project between 11am - 1pm Friday, April 17 in building 111, room 158 at the Medical Center. This project is intended to raise awareness about military sexual trauma and sexual violence.

The St. Cloud V.A. offers numerous mental health and relationship assistance programs. On today's Voices for Veterans segment on WJON I was joined by Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator Voni Hovland, Local Recovery Coordinator and Psychologist Kristen Jurek and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable from the St. Cloud V.A.

St. Cloud V.A. has recently completed the expansion of their mental health outpatient clinic and plans a ribbon cutting Monday November 25 at 9 a.m. The clinic is located in building 111. The construction added a 2nd level on the clinic.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering an overdose awareness event Wednesday August 28. I was joined on WJON by Dr. Justin Hendricks, Dr. Tracanne Legatt, Music Therapist Madge Scherer and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable. International overdose awareness day is August 31 but because the V.A. isn't open on Saturdays the event has been planned for Wednesday August 28.

The St. Cloud V.A. is undergoing a significant information technology update and this includes construction on buildings on campus. St. Cloud V.A. Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable indicates several roads on campus are being rebuilt as well, which has caused some disruption. He says all services continue to be available.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering a take back day where everyone can drop off unused and expired medications to have them disposed of safely. Jackie Stevenson from the St. Cloud V.A. explains this annual event is for veterans and the general public and all medications will be accepted.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Voni Hovland is the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Program Coordinator at the St. Cloud V.A. She says the program focuses on three areas; screening for intimate partner violence, raising awareness and providing intervention.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering a pair of events they'd like to draw attention to for veterans to participate in this summer/fall. The art competition is a national event in its 41st year.

The St. Cloud V.A. is addressing a shortage of nurses by offering a nursing assistant training course starting at the end of March. Mandi Loxterkamp, Lance Westerlund and Barry Venable from the St. Cloud V.A. joined me on WJON for our monthly Voices for Veterans program.