Voices For Veterans

In an innovative move, local veterans are gaining access to resources aimed at reducing suicide risks, thanks to a partnership with the V.A. and community groups.

The St. Cloud V.A. has made an operations update as of Tuesday going to universal masking due to the amount of influenza and RSV illness in the community. St. Cloud V.A. Spokesperson Jackie Stevenson says they are doing their part to control influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

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 holding a medication take-back day on Saturday October 26 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the St. Cloud V.A. Main Campus in Building 1. Everyone (including the public) is welcome to safely and securely dispose of any unused and expired medications.

The St. Cloud V.A. is underway with flu shot clients. That according to St. Cloud V.A. public affairs officer Barry Venable. He says veterans can get shots with any prescheduled outpatient appointment.

The St. Cloud V.A. offers home based memory care. To learn more about this program I was joined by Emmalee Foss, Jackie Stevenson, Julie Kneideman and Kaitlyn Rydeen.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering some help for veterans wanting to improve their health in the new year. Dietician Anne Voigt and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable joined me on WJON. Voigt says the V.A. is offering consultations 1 on 1 or in a group setting to aid veterans wanting to eat better and exercise more in 2024.

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.

June is Pride month and the St. Cloud V.A. wants to remind veterans of the services they offer to support all who have served in the military and who are eligible for services.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the St. Cloud V.A. is offering veterans many services to help them address concerns. St. Cloud V.A. Chaplain Michael Gruber and Public Affairs Specialist Jackie Stevenson joined me on WJON.

Joy Finkelson of the St. Cloud V.A. appeared on WJON's Voices for Veterans program to discuss sexual assault awareness month. She indicated 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men serving in the military experiences some sort of sexual trauma.

November is National Family Care Giver Month. The St. Cloud V.A. is recognizing care givers who offer services to veterans. I was joined this week on WJON by Jessica Behrendts from the Care Giver Support program at the St. Cloud V.A. and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable from the St. Cloud V.A.