Heroic Changes-Menopause-Escanaba Vet Center

 

The Use of Communication Strategies to Engage At-Risk Veterans Surrounding Military Separation

April 13th - 3:00pm ETThe Use of Communication Strategies to Engage At-Risk Veterans Surrounding Military Separation
A Research and Clinical Update
Elizabeth Karras, PhD

The use of communication strategies in public health approaches to suicide prevention is increasingly popular; however, what types of messages effectively change attitudes and behaviors among populations at increased risk for suicide is unclear. This presentation will begin to address this gap byReviewing the evidence base for such strategies
Presenting findings from a recently completed ORD-funded trial testing if messaging increases treatment initiation in at-risk Veterans following military separation
Discussing lessons learned and next steps in this area of research
TMS REGISTRATION

Follow the button link to the course in TMS (ID: 131022145), choose "Instructor-Led," then choose "Register."

You must pre-register if you wish to receive CE credits. Any after course, registration requests will be verified with Teams attendance roster and given a one-time courtesy registration.

Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACHE, ANCC, APA, ASWB, JAIPCE, NBCC

Credit/hours: 1.0 Hours

Non-VA Registration


PRESENTER INFORMATION
Elizabeth Karras, PhD

Dr. Karras specializes in health communication with her research focused on the design/use of evidence-based communication strategies for use in public health approaches to suicide prevention. She has led funded studies to design and test messages to reach and engage high-risk, hard-to-reach groups including Veterans (a) separating from the military, (b) experiencing co-occurring substance use and mental disorders; and (c) suicidal populations.

This CyberSeminar Series is brought to you by a partnership between the Veterans Health Administration Institute for Learning, Education and Development (VHA ILEAD) and VHA’s Suicide Prevention Learning Community.

The Learning Community represents an ongoing collaboration among multiple Suicide Prevention entities within VA including the Office of Suicide Prevention, VA Office of Research and Development Suicide Prevention Actively Managed Portfolio (SP AMP), VISN 2 Center of Excellence for Suicide Prevention (CoE), Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), and Suicide Prevention Research Impact NeTwork (SPRINT).

The Office of Suicide Prevention is responsible for Suicide Prevention operations and supports both the CoE and Rocky Mountain MIRECC, who research Veteran suicide prevention and aid OSP with implementation and evaluation of new clinical programing. The SP AMP is the primary funder of Suicide Prevention research in VA while SPRINT serves as VA’s suicide prevention research core that helps connect clinicians and investigators with both ORD and OSP.

Escanaba Amvets Donates Walkers to the Comedy Show 'The Producers"-Players De Noc

Amvets Post 123 in Escanaba is a positive contributor to our community. The post recently donated several walkers for the theatrical comedy The Producers by Mel Brooks at Bay College Theater, presented by Players de Noc. The show was even featured on WLUC‑TV6, including the walkers during a tap-dance scene. The performance is full of laughs—ridiculously funny and well worth attending.

The first three nights were sold out, so be sure to get your tickets before it’s too late.

Amvets Post 123 is open to veterans and family members of veterans. Even if you are not a veteran yourself but have a spouse, parent or grandparent who served, you can still join the organization and the club. The post is generally open daily from 4–6 p.m. and hosts live bands on weekends starting at 7 p.m.

If you would like to donate, become a member, or get involved with Amvets, feel free to contact the organization. 

The Producers

Our winter musical premieres Friday March 6, 2026!
The classic Mel Brooks musical comedy!
Show dates March 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 – doors open at 7pm,
and Sunday, March 8 matinee – doors open at 1pm

Buy Tickets Players de Noc

Bink’s Coca Cola Bottling Donates Cooler to Amvets-Thank You!

Our cooler recently stopped working, and we needed a new way to keep the drinks cold. A slow decline and months of nursing. Everyone knows that a nice, cold beverage goes a long way toward quenching your thirst. We know that our veteran and veteran family patrons just need a frosty one from time to time.

Amvets began searching for a replacement cooler. We search high and low for affordable options. When hope was lost and we had to seek alternatives one company came to the rescue. Thankfully, Coca-Cola Bottling Company stepped in and provided a new cooler at no cost.

We are extremely grateful for their support of Amvets and the veterans who frequent our establishment. We encourage the community to support businesses like theirs that give back to the men and women to served. The links below will help you find their website. 

Amvets Post #123 is open 4-6 everyday and hosts bands on weekends starting at 7 pm. Come on down and say high. Veterans, family members, and even the adult grandchildren of veterans can join. Membership is less than a cost to dinner for two. 

Bink’s Coca Cola Bottling

Bottled & canned Soft Drinks, Water, Powerade, Tea, Juice, Energy Drinks, Coffee, and Body Armor
906-786-4144
https://binksbeverages.com/
nick@binksbeverages.com

When You are Stuck in a Rut

By Alyssa Knoll

Community VA Engagement and Partnership Coordinator

As we endure frigid winter temperatures and the onset of the long days of winter, a sense of wandering in a snowstorm without direction can settle in, or being stuck in a rut. Maybe you want to get on a snowmobile and just gun it, going as fast as you can to feel some excitement because life feels so routine.

Now is the time to mix things up a bit, rekindle your curiosity about things that interest you or plan what is next. Think about the activities that bring you joy and a sense of accomplishment.

A few more things you might consider would be to take a class, learn a new language, or do some puzzles. When something aligns with your values, passions, or excites you, your on the right path. Self-care and aligning with your passions lead to a fulfilling life.

While generally temporary, intense cases of melancholy can lead to a sense of loneliness or isolation, feeling cut off from family and loved ones. Maybe it is the cold, or the three feet of snow. We all have different social meters, but everyone can get low with too much distance. One way to connect is to volunteer at an animal shelter, or to help others.

Sometimes the gas in our own tank feels too low to help others. This video shares the stories of multiple Veterans as they answer The Question, “have I asked for help?”

Sometimes reigniting your spark just means that you simply spend some time in connection – laughter and time with friends, other times it might be for support with struggles. Either way it is good to check in with yourself and those around you from time to time.

Here are some different options for all the different levels of social interaction from in-person, to online, or straight to your phone with Early Alert.

To help you get out of a rut or identify new wellness goals, the VA has the Whole Health program. To reach them, call 1-906-774-3300, ext. 33111.

Mental Health has Veteran peer groups that provide support. To join one of these groups, call 1-906-774-3300, ext. 32541.

If you or anyone else needs support, remember that reaching out is a positive step. Whether it's through friends, family, or professional resources, you're not alone in your journey. Don’t wait. Reach Out.

If you’d like to get involved with a weekly coffee social, the Vet Center in Escanaba hosts Coffee & Donuts every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at 301 N. 30 th Street in Escanaba.

Another weekly coffee event is Campfire Coffee in Negaunee every Monday with free coffee social and resources from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 320 Iron St. in Negaunee.

Let them know you are a Vet.

Early Alert is a weekly check in through text messaging. To sign up, call 1-833-634-0770. You may use the Link for Early Alert.

For emergent emotional crisis go to your local emergency room or call 988 press 1 for Veterans. 

Amvets Meeting 6:00 PM 02/26/26

 

The Habits of Fitness for Veterans, Sports Players, and The Average Person

(Illustrative)

Fitness is food and movement.

People often think that extreme workouts and drastic calorie cuts will make them lose weight — and they’re right. But they also lose muscle, miss essential nutrients, and usually can’t keep it up. Long-term fitness and health matter more than quick results.

For those who served in the military, sports players, and others it doesn't take long after you don't have a required routine to start gaining weight and getting out of shape. Just because your home or not on a sports team doesn't mean you don't have responsibilities and a need to keep your body fit. 

Good habits start with knowing your current patterns and making small changes. If you don’t exercise now, begin with three days a week for half an hour. Build up slowly to an hour, or more if you’re already active. Jumping into an intense routine without discipline or knowledge usually leads to quitting.

Food habits work the same way. Highly processed foods are easy and tempting, so it takes time to learn healthier eating. Fiber, vegetables, and clean protein help your body recover and stay strong while you work out. Fitness and nutrition are two parts of the same process.

This is why I don’t push weight-loss drugs or fad diets unless someone is truly at risk based on a physicians recommendation. They can cause fast weight loss, but most people gain it back because their habits never changed. Often weaker and less able then before. 

The study below highlights the importance of thinking long-term. Instead of focusing on extreme workouts or pushing yourself to the point of injury, focus on building steady habits, eating well, and living healthier day by day. Consistency is what makes the real difference.

Below is a summary of Maintenance of lost weight and long-term management of obesity

• long-term weight loss is much harder to keep off than initial loss, and most people regain weight over time

• biological, behavioral, and environmental factors all contribute to weight regain

• modern food and lifestyle environments promote increased eating and less activity

• the body responds to weight loss by increasing appetite and lowering energy expenditure, resisting further loss

• many diets produce similar long-term results, with individual variation

• maintaining weight requires persistent effort, often more than initial weight loss effort

• frequent self-monitoring, consistent habits, and behavioral strategies help with maintenance

• long-term professional support improves outcomes compared with short programs

• realistic goals and intrinsic motivation improve long-term success

• advanced treatment options (e.g., pharmacotherapy, surgery) may be needed for some people