The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is sharing the personal stories and experiences of our Veterans through a series of audio interviews.

These 90-second segments will explore the challenges faced by some Veterans and the MDVA services and support available to Veterans and their families.

Johanna considers how social media has impacted the balance between oversharing and not sharing enough. It’s common to feel that you don’t measure up or aren’t “normal.” Never letting people see beyond happy posts can have a cost. /mdva/assets/audio-mdva-johanna-c-01_tcm1066-685996.wavListen to Johanna’s story.

Before a team member died by suicide while deployed in Iraq, Johanna didn’t see warning signs or indications of depression in them. Johanna recognizes it’s possible for people to be living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), while appearing OK. /mdva/assets/audio-mdva-johanna-c-02_tcm1066-685997.wavHear Johanna share more.

Following 35 years of military service, Johanna is an attorney and works with military families. In her work, she listens with a Veteran’s perspective. One of the people Johanna met with shared that their conversation made all the difference in preventing a suicide attempt. /mdva/assets/audio-mdva-johanna-c-03_tcm1066-685998.wavContinue listening to Johanna.

Learn about MDVA’s efforts to prevent Veteran suicide.

As part of Minnesota’s Veterans Treatment Court, Veterans are assigned a mentor as they work toward sobriety, recovery or stability. Johanna works as a mentor for female Veterans in this program, and often connects them with available benefits. /mdva/assets/audio-mdva-johanna-c-04_tcm1066-685999.wavGet more of Johanna’s perspective.

Learn about MDVA’s efforts to serve and assist Veterans with benefits.

Beyond Active Duty – Caring for those who served is produced in partnership with Ampers and airs on 17 of their community radio stations serving Minnesota’s diverse communities.