MDVA Connects Those Affected By Suicide With the Resources That Can Help

Duluth, Minn. – The Annual Veterans Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day brings communities together to honor Veterans lost to suicide, allow their lives help save others, and offer healing and hope to survivors. The sixth annual event was held in Duluth, Minnesota today at the Depot in downtown.

“Veteran suicide has become a disturbing trend over the last 20 years,” says Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay. “In Minnesota alone, we lose about 100 Veterans each year to suicide. Today’s event is our chance to offer information, resources, support and solutions to help end Veteran suicide in Minnesota. Even more than that, it’s our way of telling Veterans that we’re here for them.”

Following community time with donuts and coffee and an opportunity to visit resource tables staffed by numerous Veteran support organizations, attendees honored our military with a presentation of the colors by the honorary color guard and observed a moment of silence for the fallen. Activists and community leaders talked about their universal dedication to doing more for our Veterans and ending Veteran suicide.

Keynote speaker Shelly Hanson lost her son Travis, a Veteran, to suicide. In response, she founded and serves as the executive director of The Armadillo Project.

“Suicide is a complex issue that affects Veterans from all backgrounds,” says Hanson. “Many Veterans, like Travis, may not be connected to a Veteran organization. This highlights the importance of understanding and using community resources. Travis’ return home after his Marine Corps service was fraught with challenges, and both he and I sought help. We encountered the stigma of suicide, a barrier that many face when seeking assistance.”

If you are a Veteran or know a Veteran who needs help, please take the first step.

Call 988 and press 1

Visit our Veteran Suicide Prevention page

Learn about:

• Free Gun Locks
• S.A.V.E. Training
• Suicide Prevention in Minnesota

Also visit The Armadillo Project.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs collaborates with the Armadillo Project and many other public and private organizations to identify the root causes of Veteran suicide and create an innovative, cooperative way to reverse this trend. We are working to decrease Veteran deaths by suicide in Minnesota.

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About MDVA
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is a cabinet-level state agency dedicated to serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. In addition to overseeing the five State Veterans Homes, MDVA helps eligible Veterans and families secure state and federal benefits and provides programs and services relating to higher education, benefits, burial, claims, outreach and Veterans employment. Veterans and their families are encouraged to visit www.MinnesotaVeteran.org or call 1-(888)-LinkVet for more information about benefits.