Sisterhood Spotlight

Why is International Overdose Awareness Day important?

Any event that can help raise awareness of the loss of life from the disease of addiction is important, especially when it comes in the form of a national or worldwide platform. Despite its prevalence, substance use and those who battle it continue to be scrutinized and largely blamed for their situations. For many, substance use continues to be seen as an issue of morality rather than the brain disease that it actually is. We have to change this.

Most individuals who battle addiction do so from a place of personal trauma history. In our area, that often comes in the form of multi-generational trauma. Loss of a loved one to an overdose seems particularly difficult because it feels so preventable. Any event that offers an opportunity for education, conversation and increased awareness is worthy of support.

In your leading role as Executive Director of Highlands Community Services, what brings you joy and what keeps you up at night?

I consider two of my primary responsibilities to be that of systemic strategy and getting roadblocks out of the way. Creating an environment where my team not only feels valued, but also empowered and allowed to focus on their jobs and areas of expertise is important to me. That’s when the magic happens. That’s when the new programs evolve, the partnerships develop and the community and individual change happens. Seeing staff take pride in not only the work they do but also in the organization they do it for — that’s my source of joy. Those are the heroes who then move mountains to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

What keeps me up at night is trying to figure out how to make all those things happen in a climate where our field is under duress. With a limited behavioral health workforce pipeline and an exponential expansion of need, it is a daily struggle to find the resources to remain competitive in the employment market and meet the needs of our community. There is a substantial amount of creative problem solving required and it seems to happen best in those midnight hours.

What advice do you have for Virginians to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, counseling and asking for help?

Be kind -- to others and to yourself. Give yourself permission to use the supports around you and the compassion to prioritize your own needs and well-being without judgment. We can all use additional supports from time to time. It doesn’t mean we’re broken — it just means we’re human. Others around you may be inspired by your journey, allowing you to potentially make unintended differences in the lives of others.

What mental health/substance use/counseling trends are most effective among Virginia youth today?

Our youth seem to be the first generation where stigma seems to be beginning to take a back seat and more open conversations about needs are happening. Routinely, their first outreach is to either peers or parents. Beyond that, getting connected to resources and supports quickly is the highest predictor for follow through with our youth. In our digital world, they are accustomed to having their needs addressed quickly, often via their phones. Whether through apps, virtual support groups or therapy services, or a chat function on the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, timely access and response is a substantial factor. Beyond that, it isn’t a matter of successful methodologies or interventions. It still boils down to creating a connection where that youth feels accepted, respected for who they are and that they are being heard.

What resources does Highlands Community Services (HCS) offer to Virginians in need and how do people access services?

As one of 40 Community Services Boards across Virginia, HCS is designated to serve the individuals residing in Washington County and the City of Bristol. We offer over 75 programs addressing mental health, substance use and intellectual/developmental needs of individuals and families across all stages of life from birth through geriatrics. A full listing of our service array can be found on our website at www.highlandscsb.org.

Individuals interested in enrolling in services can likely do so that same day by calling us at 276.525.1550 and selecting option 1 from the automated menu to speak with our Service Enrollment staff. Individuals with urgent needs may qualify for our crisis services designed to be more preventative in nature and ideally address needs in the home community rather than through extended hospitalizations.

People shouldn’t have to leave home to get good care. We are here to meet them where they are and support them in achieving their goals here, at home, in rural Southwest Virginia.

About Rebecca Holmes

Rebecca Holmes has over 25 years of experience providing inpatient, in home, and outpatient services to individuals and families in Southwest Virginia struggling with the impact of addiction, trauma and mental health challenges. She has spent her later years focusing on a broader systemic impact through the development of services, programs and systems of care to address those same behavioral health needs with focuses on quality and sustainability.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor and a certified Substance Abuse Counselor in Virginia, Rebecca is an advocate for addressing the intergenerational impact that both substance use and trauma have on the full family system. Developing and implementing comprehensive and quality services for effective intervention and long-term positive outcomes is the clinical standard that serves as the guidepost of her practice.

Rebecca is currently the Executive Director for Highlands Community Services (HCS), serving Washington County and Bristol, Virginia. In this role, she is responsible for all aspects of the service delivery spectrum from the quality and type of services offered to staffing, compliance, funding, development and sustainability of the organization.