ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) – Veterans and their families gathered at Piedmont Virginia Community College on Monday, March 23, for an event focused on mental health, opioid use, and harm reduction — with the goal of connecting people to practical tools and support.
The Veterans Empowerment Event, organized in partnership with the University of Virginia and PVCC, brought together a range of resources in one place to address challenges many veterans face after service.
Organizers say those challenges are often not visible.
“Veterans — too often — struggle in silence,” the program emphasized, highlighting the need for accessible support and guidance.
Army veteran Tom Harvey says navigating those challenges alone can feel overwhelming.
“Well, often, when you’re a veteran and you have these issues, whether it’s PTSD or depression, you do not really know how to look on your own. You need someone to help guide you,” Harvey said.
The event included Narcan training, pain management resources, and opportunities to speak directly with providers in a setting designed to be open and judgment-free.
Health professionals say the need for that kind of support is significant.
“Veterans are at higher risk for developing opioid misuse issues, substance abuse, those type of things,” said Dania Chastain with UVA’s Pain Management and Opioid Stewardship program.
That increased risk was one of the driving forces behind the event.
Mary Evelyn Sellars, with PVCC Student Life and Campus Engagement, said the goal was to make sure veterans have access to the help they need — both during and after their transition back to civilian life.
“We wanted them to have resources. And we want them to be able to heal while they are learning. That is really important to me because they gave so much for us and our country. It is our duty to give back to them and take care of them,” Sellars said.
The event also focused on the role families play in that process.
Organizers say family members are often the first to notice when something is wrong — and the first to search for answers.
Creating a safe environment for those conversations was a key priority.
“It is so important for us to create safe, nonjudgmental spaces for people regardless of their background, but especially for veterans who are struggling so much, to be able to come into community,” said Elysia Buss, a medical massage therapist and confidence coach.
Those involved say the message of the event is simple: support is available, and people do not have to navigate these challenges alone.
It is about knowing you do not need to have all the answers — but knowing where to start.
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