Preventing suicide among Veterans is a priority in Minnesota. By gathering our community together, sharing stories and showing support, together we can better understand the resources available to help those who served their country in their time of need – and show support for families affected by Veteran suicide.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Mindy Broden, MA, LPCC, LADC, is an Army combat Veteran and who entered the field of substance use counseling more than 12 years ago after a lived experience of addiction and trauma during her time in the military. It is her great desire to provide excellent services, instill hope and give compassion to those who are struggling—in particular Veterans. Married for 17 years to another combat Veteran, Mindy has two teenage boys and loves the outdoors including hunting, fishing, ATVs, snowmobiling and camping. She and her husband enjoy entertaining and cooking for others and it seems like their house is always filled with neighbors, friends and family.

Wendell Affield uses the written word to promote healing and wholeness. An author and Vietnam Veteran, his childhood was punctuated by a volatile mother and an unpredictable stepfather. At twelve, he and his siblings were placed in foster homes and his mother committed to a mental hospital. At sixteen, he rode the rails out west and lived in hobo camps. At seventeen, he enlisted in the Navy. He was wounded in an ambush while driving a river patrol boat in Vietnam and medevaced home. This lifetime of adventure and instability are the foundation for everything he writes. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the 90s, Wendell began exploring writing as a way to process everything he had experienced. He studied the writing craft at Bemidji State University. Today, he speaks to groups across Minnesota about PTSD and leads workshops to show Veterans and others how to use writing as a way to move forward from their experiences.

All are welcome at this event. To arrange an interview, contact:

Steve McCarthy
Media Relations
Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
952-237-4618
steven.mccarthy@state.mn.us

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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.