Tag Archive for: Suicide Prevention

Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, Mental Health Resources, and Memorial Day Events

This week on Minnesota Military Radio, we’re joined by leaders from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to discuss career opportunities, Veteran mental health resources, and Memorial Day weekend events across the state.

Guests include:

  • Ray Douha, Director, CareerForce Veterans Employment Program
  • Shannon Sprouse, Senior Veterans Employment Representative
  • Krysta Stanenas, Community Health Analyst, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Chase Arden, Veterans Community Health Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Tim Uecker, Deputy Director of Memorial Affairs, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Segment 1: Minnesota Veterans Career Fair

Ray Douha and Shannon Sprouse discuss the 20th Annual Minnesota Veterans Career Fair, taking place on May 20, including what Veterans can expect and how to prepare.
https://careerforce.mn.gov/VeteransCareerFair2026

Segments 2 & 3: Veteran Mental Health Resources

Krysta Stanenas and Chase Arden share insight into Veteran mental health, suicide prevention efforts, and statewide resources available to Veterans and their families.

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, contact the Veteran Crisis Line by calling or texting 988 and pressing 1.
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/suicide/mhawarenessmonth.html

Segment 4: Memorial Day Events at State Veterans Cemeteries

Tim Uecker outlines Memorial Day weekend ceremonies taking place on Sunday, May 24, at Minnesota’s State Veterans Cemeteries.
https://mn.gov/mdva/news/events/
https://minnesotaveteran.org/cem

Honoring Service: Tribute, Veterans Homes Update, and 2026 Legislative Outlook
This week on Minnesota Military Radio: Honoring Service: Tribute, Veterans Homes Update, and 2026 Legislative Outlook.
We open with a tribute to Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and reflect on the sacrifices made by our service members and their families every day.
The program features an in-depth conversation with Diane Lynch-deCombs, Assistant Commissioner of the Health Care Division at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. She oversees the state’s eight veterans homes and discusses supporting administrators, workforce challenges in long-term care, attracting younger workers, adapting to evolving veteran health care models like community care and choice options, and ensuring these facilities remain strong and sustainable for the future.
Next, Jon Kelly, Director of Government Affairs at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, provides an update on the department’s 2026 legislative priorities. Topics include policy bills, bonding requests for veterans homes and cemeteries, ongoing progress in ending veterans homelessness and suicide prevention, and efforts to recognize and provide benefits to Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans from Laos.
Hosted by Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham, Minnesota Military Radio is a production of iHeartMedia, the Minnesota National Guard, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon.
For more information on Minnesota’s veterans homes, visit: https://www.mn.gov/mdva/homes/ To learn about legislative updates and resources, check the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website: https://www.mn.gov/mdva/

Serving Minnesota Veterans: The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

This week, discover how the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) supports our heroes with benefits like state veterans homes and suicide prevention programs, and explore the vital role of the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers in partnering with MDVA. Guests include:

Visit minnesotaveteran.org and join us at the MN State Fair on Military Appreciation Day, Aug 26!

This week, we’re talking Veteran Suicide Prevention with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, saying farewell to our Military Producer from the Minnesota National Guard, and getting an update from the MN Patriot Guard. Guests include:

MDVA Suicide Prevention and ESGR Patriot Award

This week we discuss Minnesota Veteran Suicide Prevention with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, meet with a Minnesota Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriot Award Recipient and get an update from the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers. Guests include:

Click here to learn more about the MDVA’s Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day Event