St. Cloud VA

VETERAN UPDATE

June 18, 2026

Fraudulent Flyers

We want to bring your attention to a scam reported at multiple VA facilities nationwide.  Veterans have been receiving a fraudulent flyer claiming they can receive free, name‑brand athletic shoes from VA by providing personal information.

This offer is not legitimate and is not endorsed by VA.

These scams are designed to exploit Veterans by collecting their personal information or directing them to predatory websites.

Pictured is an example of the scam flyer that Veterans have reported receiving. 

Veterans should not click suspicious links, enter personal information or provide payment details in response to these posts or messages.

If Veterans have already engaged with this offer, please contact, and report it to, the VA Inspector General's fraud hotline at 1-800-488-8244 or online at https://www.vaoig.gov/.

Postcard Scam

Don't let scammers target your hard-earned benefits. Fraudulent postcards claiming Veterans qualify for "extra VA benefits" are circulating. If you're pressured to act quickly or share personal information, it's a red flag. Verify directly with VA, report bad actors and protect yourself from fraud. Learn more: https://news.va.gov/147334/veterans-savings-program-postcard-scam/

June is PTSD Awareness Month

What is PTSD?

When you have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), memories of the traumatic event(s) can unexpectedly interrupt your day and pull your attention away from the present, and you may frequently feel on alert.

PTSD can develop in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, combat, sexual assault, or a serious accident.

Not everyone who experiences a trauma develops PTSD, though most will experience some symptoms for a while. If trauma-related symptoms are not starting to resolve within a month, and are causing distress or disfunction (such as affecting your sleep, relationships, work, mood, physical health, or overall quality of life), it's worth reaching out.

PTSD symptoms fall into four main categories. You can learn more about these symptoms at the National Center for PTSD.

• Reliving or re-experiencing the event. You may have nightmares, intrusive memories, flashbacks (where you feel like you’re reliving the event), or trauma reminders like places, sounds or smells that cause distress.
• Avoidance. You may avoid things, places, or people that remind you of the event. This might mean keeping busy to avoid thinking about the trauma or staying away from people because you feel it’s just easier to be alone.
• Negative changes in feelings and beliefs. You may notice changes in the way you think about yourself and others, you might feel guilt or shame about the traumatic event, or lose interest in things or people you used to enjoy.
• Hyperarousal or being on guard. You may feel keyed up, on edge, have a difficult time focusing, or feel as if you are “on alert” for danger more often.

If you think you’re experiencing any of these symptoms—don’t wait. Talk to a mental health care provider who can help you determine whether your feelings and behaviors may be related to PTSD. Knowing if you have PTSD is the first step to getting effective treatment—and there are treatment options that can help you begin to feel better and take back control of your life, no matter how long you’ve been living with symptoms of PTSD.

VA’s National Center for PTSD offers a variety of resources related to PTSD and PTSD Treatment. By visiting their website, you can:

• Take a PTSD Self-Screen to find out if your feelings and behaviors may be related to PTSD
• Get help finding a VA PTSD program or a mental health care provider
• Learn about and compare PTSD treatment options with the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid
• Read Understanding PTSD and PTSD Treatment if you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD
• Read Understanding PTSD: A Guide for Family and Friends
• Download PTSD Coach if a loved one has been diagnosed with PTSD, a mobile app that can help you learn about your symptoms, develop skills to manage those symptoms, and track your progress over time

No matter what you’re experiencing—you are not alone. PTSD treatment works. Be your own advocate and take the first step toward treatment today. 

For more information, visit: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/.

The St. Cloud VA Health Care System Presents: 2026 Summer Art Series

• Wet Felting: Tuesday, June 23, at 3 p.m.
• Collage: Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m.
• Songwriting: Tuesday, June 30, at 6 p.m.
• Meditative Art: Thursday, July 16, at 4 p.m.
• Nature Art: Tuesday, July 28, at 3 p.m.
• Tie Dye: Thursday, August 6, at 6 p.m.

No experience necessary and all materials are provided. Space is limited.

View and print the 2026 Summer Art Series flyer. 

Registration deadline is one week prior to each workshop. Call Madge Scherer at 320-252-1670, ext. 7336, to register.

Ask VA Community Care

St. Cloud VA Community Care Dept. experts will be available to answer Veteran questions about the Community Care process.

Veterans can stop by with questions & learn a few tips on using VA’s Veteran Community Care program.

Dates and locations include:

Max J. Beilke VA Clinic, Alexandria,

June 30, 2026, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Community Care can also be reached by calling 320-252-1670, ext. 6401. Community Care hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., excluding Federal Holidays. 

Sleep Well

What’s important to know?

Maintaining healthy sleep

Getting high-quality sleep is key for good health. Sleeping well is just as important as exercise and eating wisely.

Poor sleep is related to:

• Obesity
• Heart disease and stroke
• Diabetes
• Pain
• Depression, anxiety, and irritability
• Concentration and memory problems
• Accidents and impaired work performance

One in three people have problems sleeping at some point in their lives. There’s a big difference between one night of poor sleep and trouble that persists. If your sleep trouble goes on for months, you may have a sleep disorder. Concerned about your sleep?

VA’s Sleep Check-Up tool can help you understand it.

The two most common sleep disorders are insomnia disorder and obstructive sleep apnea disorder.

Insomnia symptoms include difficulty with:

• Falling asleep
• Staying asleep
• Waking too early

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused by blocking of the airway during sleep. Symptoms can include:

• Loud snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Difficulty concentrating during the day

Effective treatments are available for both insomnia and sleep apnea.

Want to Know More?

Talk to your health care team to learn about alternatives to sleep medications, including virtual insomnia treatment options.

You can find additional information and resources at VA’s Prevention website.

PACT Act Education Seminars

The PACT Act law expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, agent orange, and other toxic substances.

The education seminars are in Bldg. 4 room 180 of the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN.

• July 9, 2026, from 11 a.m.-noon
• August 4, 2026, from 1-2 p.m.
• September 2, 2026, from 11 a.m.-noon

Topics covered will be:

• What the PACT ACT is
• Research projects
• Types of toxic exposures
• Survivor benefits
• Healthcare eligibility changes
• Toxic exposure screening
• Presumptive conditions
• How to apply for benefits
• To enroll in VA Healthcare: Bring your DD214! 

Space is limited, call 320-255-6340 to reserve your spot for the PACT Act Education Seminar.

Intro to Whole Health Course Offerings

Whole Health empowers and equips you to take charge of your health and well-being, and live your life to the fullest. Join an Intro to Whole Health class to learn more. The class is offered monthly in person at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and Brainerd, Montevideo and Max J. Beilke VA Clinics and live virtual classes.

The Whole Health Theme of the Month is Digital Reset: Making mindful choices about technology.

• Join our Guided Imagery or CALM Meditation classes,  to learn how to be more present.

Call Whole Health at 320-252-1670, ext. 5401, to learn more about Whole Health classes, dates and times available and to register. 

Digital Reset

Making mindful choices about technology

Focus on ways you  can unplug or step back from screen time and be more present in your everyday life. Review the benefits of being mindful and stepping away from electronic devices to focus on health for body, mind, and spirit.

1. A digital reset can bring a variety of benefits to our Whole Health, from reduced to stress and anxiety to improved sleep.
2. Our relationship with technology has all sorts of implications for our mental and physical well-being.
3. Periodically disconnecting from our digital devices can help us reconnect with the things that matter most.
4. Less scroll time and more soul time empowers us to be more mindful about our Whole Health.

Taking a step back from screens can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and support better focus throughout the day. Reclaim your focus by making mindful choices about how you use technology. Try a short break, a “media fast,” or a few minutes of meditation to recharge.  Take a Media Fast.

Spending time on your devices can quickly add up. But small changes can create space for what matters most. Turn screen time into “me time” with simple, screen-free activities.   

Try one of these: 

• Take a walk outside
• Pray, practice meditation or deep breathing
• Stretch or move your body
• Journal or reflect
• Connect with someone in person

Less “scroll time” and more “soul time” empowers us to be more mindful about our Whole Health.  Try an activity today.