On this week’s episode of Minnesota Military Radio, we explore how collaboration strengthens Veteran suicide prevention across Minnesota and how the Veteran Suicide Mortality Review brings partners together to find opportunities for action. The conversation marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Minnesota’s first state Veterans suicide prevention strategy.
Guests:
- David Girgen – Lyon County CVSO and Technical Assistance Coordinator for Veteran Suicide Prevention, Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers (MACVSO)
- Chase Arden – Veterans Community Health Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
- Kristi Stites – Veteran Suicide Prevention & Program Development Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
- Krysta Stanenas – Veterans Community Health Analyst, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA)
- Stefan Gingerich – Senior Epidemiologist, Minnesota Department of Health
- David Holewinski – Suicide Prevention Manager, Minneapolis VA Health Care System
During the show, MACVSO and MDVA talk about why Veteran suicide prevention is shared work — County Veteran Service Officers, the federal VA, Veteran service organizations, the Minnesota National Guard, the Minnesota Department of Health, community partners, and families. Listeners will hear how that collaboration looks in rural communities, what still keeps some Veterans from asking for help, and why a trusted person willing to ask a direct question can change the path forward.
In the second half, MDVA, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minneapolis VA Health Care System explain the Veteran Suicide Mortality Review: a structured look at systems and circumstances around a death, not a search for blame. The goal is to spot missed connections and strengthen prevention for other Veterans and families.
If you or a Veteran you know needs support, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, contact a County Veteran Service Officer, or start with LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet (1-888-546-5838) or LinkVet.org.
Next week we learn how the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs SOAR program connects Veterans and people experiencing homelessness with essential benefits and services.
