(KNSI) – A veterans suicide prevention event will take place this weekend in St. Cloud. Minnesota Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday at Wilson Park.
St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis is one of the keynote speakers who understands the pain of losing a loved one to suicide.
“I’ll talk about my brother and because that’s an important, personal part of my story and the story of our family, but it’s more important to do everything we can to raise that awareness so we can prevent those types of tragedies and other families throughout our community.”
Kleis’ younger brother Tom was a Marine and took his life in July 2020. Kleis says he wants people to be there and support the men and women who wear the uniform.
“So it’s important that veterans are supported to do anything that can prevent this type of tragedy for a family, and more importantly for the individuals who are suffering through this, the challenges in life and this challenges as a result of their service.”
MDVA Commissioner Larry Herke and St. Cloud VA Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator Laura Kunstleben will also be at the event.
People in attendance will learn about suicide prevention, how to identify Veterans at risk and receive resources to help combat veteran suicide. Resources for veterans will be available from 11 to 11:30 and then the presentation will take place from 11:30 to noon.
The Minnesota Legislature recognized Minnesota Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Day in 2019 to bring awareness to veterans’ suicide. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs says 100 veterans commit suicide a year in the state.
The event is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, City of St. Cloud, Central Minnesota Suicide Prevention Coalition, CentraCare Health, and the St. Cloud VA Health Care System.
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