Minnesota veterans’ mental health programs, including Veterans on the Lake and Hometown Hero Outdoors, could receive much-needed state funding to support mental health services and outdoor activities for veterans. Two key pieces of legislation introduced in the Minnesota Senate this year aim to address the mental health needs of veterans by expanding access to therapy, transportation, and outdoor programs.
Veterans on the Lake: A Place for Reconnection
Veterans on the Lake, a nonprofit resort located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, provides veterans and their families with a space to reconnect with nature and one another. Nathan Burr, a member of the Minnesota National Guard, first visited the resort in 2019 following a year-long deployment in the Middle East. Burr, who had been deployed four times, found the experience invaluable for rebuilding connections with his wife and children.
“It gave us a new shared experience, if that makes sense. It gave us a memory that we could continue to build off of,” Burr said, reflecting on his family’s time at the resort.
Following his stay, Burr joined the resort’s board to give back to an organization that had deeply impacted his family. Veterans on the Lake’s mission is to provide veterans and their families with therapeutic outdoor experiences, but the resort now faces financial challenges that could limit its ability to serve the community.
Two bills introduced by Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) and co-authored by Senator Robert Farnsworth (R-Hibbing) propose to provide critical funding for the resort. One bill allocates $100,000 over two years to support therapy services, transportation, and accessible activities at the resort. The second bill seeks $200,000 for repairs to the resort’s outdated septic system. The facility cannot operate without this essential upgrade, which also threatens to delay the completion of a new fully accessible building currently under construction.
Andy Berkenpas, the resort’s general manager, explained that without the septic system funding, they would have to divert resources from ongoing projects, including the completion of a six-bedroom, wheelchair-accessible building, the last structure on the grounds that has not been renovated.
Hometown Hero Outdoors: Supporting Mental Health Through Nature
In addition to funding for Veterans on the Lake, another legislative proposal seeks to provide $500,000 in funding for Hometown Hero Outdoors, a nonprofit that offers outdoor activities for veterans, active military members, and first responders. Founded in 2019 by Christopher Tetrault, the organization has seen firsthand the positive impact outdoor activities can have on veterans’ mental health.
Tetrault, a National Guard veteran and law enforcement officer, noted that the program began to expand as veterans not only participated in outdoor trips but also began to reach out to staff during times of personal crisis. The state funding would help Hometown Hero Outdoors provide mental health training to its staff, equipping them to assist veterans at risk of suicide, a critical issue affecting the veteran community.
According to a 2023 report from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 17 veterans die by suicide each day, with nearly half of those who died by suicide in 2022 having not received mental health care through the VA. Tetrault believes that outdoor activities, combined with mental health training, can help reduce stigma and provide veterans with the support they need during challenging times.
Legislators Advocate for Mental Health Awareness
Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton), who has firsthand experience with military and first responder families, emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues within these communities. A paramedic for 11 years, Seeberger believes there is still a long way to go in destigmatizing mental health struggles among veterans and first responders.
“We’re making strides within the profession to be able to raise our hand when we need some support and make ourselves vulnerable in that way, but there’s still a long way to go,” Seeberger said.
Seeberger views the funding for organizations like Hometown Hero Outdoors as a step toward creating an environment where veterans and first responders feel comfortable seeking help and addressing their mental health needs.
“We need to first and foremost keep talking about it and keep making it okay to raise your hand when you’re not okay,” she said.
As the Minnesota Senate considers these bills, the state could soon provide much-needed resources to support the mental health and wellness of veterans through outdoor activities, therapy services, and community connections.
