New River Health District

09/02/2026

This September is

Community is fundamental to recovery; it's important to remember that you are not alone in your recovery journey. Our Rise Above team offers harm reduction, peer support, and other wraparound services to help the NRV community locally.

National resources include the 988 Suicide/Crisis Lifeline (call or text), the Veterans Crisis Line (dial 988, then press 1; text 838255), the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990), and SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357).

09/01/2026

This week is going to be very hot throughout the NRV - make sure you stay hydrated to !

09/01/2026

This summer, a Virginia Tech MPH student developed this visual report based on the results of a survey given to Rise Above participants. We asked for their feedback about our services, as well as their experiences with stigma and access to treatment.

Results include participant satisfaction with the program, continued use of services for 6+ months, various experiences with changes in the drug supply that could potentially lead to more dangerous outcomes, stigmatization and negative treatment from family and law enforcement, and transportation and affordability barriers to medical treatment.

08/31/2026

Today is Overdose Awareness Day.

For us at Rise Above, today is about the people we’ve lost and the people who loved them.

It’s about remembering someone for who they were, not reducing their entire life to how they died.

It’s also about the families and friends who carry that loss every day. Grief from an overdose can come with a lot of things other grief doesn’t. Stigma, judgment, questions and sometimes even shame that never belonged there in the first place.

So today we remember without any of that.

We say their names. We tell their stories. We remember the whole person.

And to every family member, friend or loved one missing someone today, Rise Above remembers with you. 💜

08/31/2026

For 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people together to remember those we’ve lost and to take action to save lives. Tonight, two candlelight vigils are being held in the NRV:

NRVCS 401 Peer Center - Radford, starting at 7:30pm

InStill Mindfulness - Pulaski, 6-8pm

Behind every overdose is a person who was loved, and a family member, friend, or community member who continues to feel that loss. Overdose continues to affect every community, but it can be prevented. We know how to reduce risk and keep people safe. By speaking openly, learning from one another, and treating each other with care and respect, we build a world where fewer lives are lost.

08/29/2026

In two weeks, the New River Health District is hosting a Community Baby Shower! Join us on September 12th between 10am and 12pm at 6671 Riverlawn Ct to learn about various maternal and child resources/services throughout the NRV, get some free baby items (while supplies last!) and enjoy light breakfast foods!

08/28/2026

For our final CHW highlight, here is the director of the New River Health District, Dr. Noelle Bissell!

Despite her busy schedule overseeing the entire district and then some, Dr. Bissell always finds time to get out into the community- she attends a weekly clinic in Pulaski and often comes out to meet people and share resources at community events.

Her hard work and leadership helps the health department provide all of its important services to our NRV community. Thank you, Dr. Bissell!

08/28/2026

08/27/2026

Our next community health worker highlight is our Resource Mothers, Christen, Armae, and Donna. They provide invaluable advice, health education, and connections to services for teen mothers. They will meet clients where they are, whether that's at home, at one of our clinics, or somewhere in between. Our Resource Mothers can teach about car seat safety, help develop plans for baby's care, help young moms stay in school or find employment, provide health and nutrition education, and generally support young moms during this life transition.

Thank you to the Resource Mothers at New River Health District and across the state who do this amazing work in our communities!

08/27/2026

Walk-In Services Update

Walk-in services will be only available today from 10 AM–12 PM in Radford.

Need us this afternoon? Come see us in Pulaski starting at 1 PM.

If today doesn’t work, call 540-824-2082 to set up services for tomorrow.

We’ll make sure you get connected.