Lexington’s Veterans Affairs Leestown Road campus is hosting a farmers’ market Saturday to remind veterans and their families of the many services they offer – including mental health assistance. Laura Kern is the VA’s suicide prevention coordinator. She said the event is one of many this September, which is Suicide Prevention Month.
“When we were thinking of, you know, events for the entire month, we thought what better idea than a farmers market getting veterans to, you know, veterans and community partners and just the community in general to the VA.”
Kern said Kentucky has the 20th highest suicide rate in the nation for veterans – and across the country, veterans have a higher rate of suicide than their civilian counterparts.
“The transition from active duty to civilian life is difficult. It's something no civilian experiences. Um, you know, a lot of our veterans struggle with PTSD, substance use, anxiety, depression.”
The VA Farmers market will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Everyone is invited, and Kern said employees will be on hand to talk about the many mental health and other resources they offer. There’ll also be many free activities, like face-painting.
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