The Good Life – January-February 2016

Karst, outreach specialist, is charged with community
outreach and education.
“Our biggest obstacle is trying to lessen the stigma of mental
health and getting veterans the help that they need. The
more public outreach and spread of knowledge that we do
the easier it gets for people to talk about and ask for help,”
she said.
The Vet Center also has a Mobile Vet Center, which is used
for outreach events and allows counselors to assist veterans
on the road where help is needed. The counselors also travel
around the region helping individuals and holding groups
so the veterans and their families do not have travel so far
to Fargo.
“When I’m on the road, I talk to everyone, from spouses,
family, friends and veterans themselves,” Karst said. “A lot of
what I do is finding resources and giving referrals. There are
a ton of veteran organizations out there ready and willing to
help. It’s all about educating the public on what’s out there
and how it can help their individual need.”
“We’re not going to turn anybody away,” she said. “We’ll help
whoever walks through those doors: spouse, kid, veteran,
somebody who has been in the military for two hours, it
doesn’t matter.”
‘I’m glad I stayed’
Appletoft said one of the toughest parts of her work is seeing
the veterans in pain.
“These are people that have put themselves in compromising
positions to defend our country and our freedom and they’re
hurting and they’re struggling and that’s so hard to see,”
34
"These are people that have put themselves in compromising positions
TO DEFEND OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM
and they’re hurting and they’re struggling and that’s so hard to see.”
— Kari Appletoft