The Russell County Prevention Coalition

08/16/2026

Back to school means new routines, new experiences, and sometimes new worries.

As kids head back to the classroom, make space for more than questions about homework and schedules.

Try asking:
💬 “What are you looking forward to?”
💬 “Is there anything you're worried about?”
💬 “What would make this year feel a little easier?”
💬 “Is there anything happening that you want me to know about?”

You don't have to solve every problem. Sometimes, being willing to listen is the most important thing you can offer.

Create a home where kids know they can talk about the good, the bad, and everything in between. Keep the conversation going.

08/04/2026

07/23/2026

07/21/2026

In partnership with the Regional Adult Education program, CMCSB Prevention Services will offer five, free opportunities for Living Works safeTALK su***de-alert helper & Rapid Revive trainings throughout August 2026 in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties. These trainings are free and open to community members:
August 18, 5-8 pm @ SWCC Southern Gap Center
August 19, 4-7 pm @ Tazewell Co. Career Center
August 24, 1-4 pm @ SWCC Southern Gap Center
August 26, 5-8 pm @ Russell Co. Career Center
August 31, 1-4 PM @ SWCC Bluefield Center
safeTALK is a three-hour training in su***de alertness developed by Living Works. It helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of su***de and connect them with resources who can help them in choosing to live. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the training—anyone age 15 or older who wants to make a difference can learn the safeTALK steps.
Rapid REVIVE! is a brief training on how to use life-saving naloxone in an opioid-overdose situation. Following the training, participants will receive free naloxone and a prevention resource bag.
To register, email [email protected] with your name and which training location you'd like to register for. Please share!

*UPDATE- the August 18 training has been cancelled and consolidated with the August 24 training at the SWCC Southern Gap Center and the August 26 training at the Russell County Career & Technology Center has been moved to Monday, August 17 from 5-8 pm. Current schedule is listed below & on graphic*

In partnership with the Regional Adult Education program, CMCSB Prevention Services will offer five, free opportunities for Living Works safeTALK su***de-alert helper & Rapid Revive trainings throughout August 2026 in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties. These trainings are free and open to community members:

August 17, 5-8 pm @ Russell Co. Career Center
August 19, 4-7 pm @ Tazewell Co. Career Center
August 24, 1-4 pm @ SWCC Southern Gap Center
August 31, 1-4 PM @ SWCC Bluefield Center

safeTALK is a three-hour training in su***de alertness developed by Living Works. It helps participants recognize a person with thoughts of su***de and connect them with resources who can help them in choosing to live. Participants don’t need any formal preparation to attend the training—anyone age 15 or older who wants to make a difference can learn the safeTALK steps.

Rapid REVIVE! is a brief training on how to use life-saving naloxone in an opioid-overdose situation. Following the training, participants will receive free naloxone and a prevention resource bag.

To register, email [email protected] with your name and which training location you'd like to register for. Please share!

05/14/2026

The small moments matter more than we think. A quick text. A short call. Sitting and listening without distraction. These everyday actions can help someone feel safe, seen, and supported. They may seem simple, but they can make a lasting difference across every generation.

What is one small way you show up for someone in your life?

05/13/2026

Russell County Prevention Coalition Launches New MailChimp Newsletter & CMCSB Mental Health Awareness Month Event Series -

To help organize and expand our Coalition mailing list, we are now using MailChimp! Going forward, Coalition emails will come through MailChimp as [email protected], so please add that address to your contacts to avoid emails getting sent to spam or junk folders. Everyone currently on our mailing...

05/07/2026

Cumberland Mountain Community Services Announces “SWVA Community Connections” event series for May Mental Health Awareness Month: Exploring Local Opportunities for Promoting Mental Wellness
Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed across the US to promote wellness, educate communities, reduce stigma, and bring attention to the millions of people affected by mental illness. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cumberland Mountain Community Services and its community partners in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties are excited to announce “SWVA Community Connections,” a series of events throughout the month of May to identify and explore local opportunities for promoting mental wellness through:
Social Connection
Outdoor Natural Recreation
Nutrition & Healthy Living
All events are completely free and open to everyone. At each event, a prevention staff member will be available to connect participants to mental health resources and offer information on services provided by Cumberland Mountain Community Services. Training opportunities will also be available throughout May in Adverse Childhood Experiences, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Rapid REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program.
Social Connection Events:
Chill & Chat Popsicle Socials: Free Ice Cream, Popsicles, & Mental Health Resources from the CMCSB Prevention Mobile Unit
May 14, 12:30 pm – 2 pm, New Life Medicine Castlewood, 18948 US Hwy 58, Castlewood, VA
May 14, 3 pm - 5 pm, Fox Meadows Apartments, 35 Fox Meadow Dr, Lebanon, VA
May 20, 11 am – 1 pm, Fairfax Court Apartments, 221 Fairfax Avenue, Richlands, VA
May 20, 1:30 pm – 3 pm; New Life Medicine Richlands, 2011 2nd St, Richlands, VA
2000’s Music Trivia Night for Mental Health Awareness Month in partnership with The Russell Theater, May 28, 6:30 pm - 8 pm, The Russell Theater, 112 W Main St, Lebanon, VA
Fishing for Good Mental Health, Free Stocked Trout Fishing event for all ages- no license required, Free food, prizes, & mental health resources, on Saturday, June 6, 10 am – 2 pm, Patterson Volunteer Fire Department, 1108 Patterson Rd, Oakwood, VA
Outdoor Natural Recreation Events:
May 21, 10 am – 12 pm, Poplar Gap Park Guided Forest Therapy with Tina Hayes, Meet at Shelter by Stage, 1818 Fairgrounds Circle, Grundy, VA 24614
May 17, 3 pm - 5 pm, Guided Kayak Tour of Lake Witten with Outdoor Adventure Center’s Rick Barton, Meet at Cavitt’s Creek Park Office, Space limited to 15 participants, 750 Recreation Dr, North Tazewell, VA 24630, Register at https://KayakLakeWitten.eventbrite.com
Nutrition & Healthy Living:
May 28, 10 am – 12 pm, Food Demonstration & Nutrition Talk with VDH WIC Nutritionist LeeAnn Brooks & Oak Grove Seniors Group, Oak Grove Community Center, 10241 Moccasin Valley Rd, Lebanon, VA 24266
Training Opportunities:
May 22, 12 pm - 1:30 pm, Adverse Childhood Experiences training, Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town Rd, Grundy, VA 24614
May 29, 12:30 pm – 5 pm, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, Richlands Public Library, 102 Suffolk Ave, Richlands, VA 24641
Training in Rapid REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education. The program only takes 5 minutes, will be available at every event listed above, and includes a free box of naloxone.
The full schedule of events, additional information about Mental Health Awareness Month, and resources can be found at www.CMCSB.com/MHAM and https://www.lockandtalk.org/campaigns/may. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
_______________________________________________________________________
Other Community Events in May that Support Mental Health
“SWVA Connections” will also highlight events already organized by a few local organizations in the Cumberland Plateau region that can help strengthen mental health and overall wellness. We encourage Buchanan, Russell & Tazewell County residents to attend these events, support the community organizations, and explore other opportunities for wellness in the month of May:
Town of Lebanon Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, Wednesdays, 9 am – 2 pm, 137 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA
Tazewell Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm, 1615 Riverside Dr, North Tazewell, VA
Virginia Cooperative Extension -
Find events at https://russell.ext.vt.edu/ & https://tazewell.ext.vt.edu/
Russell County Public Library
Find events at https://russell.lib.va.us/calendar/
Tazewell County Public Library
Find events at https://tcplweb.org/events/
Buchanan County Public Library
Find events at https://bcplnet.org/calendar/

Cumberland Mountain Community Services Announces “SWVA Community Connections” event series for May Mental Health Awareness Month: Exploring Local Opportunities for Promoting Mental Wellness

Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed across the US to promote wellness, educate communities, reduce stigma, and bring attention to the millions of people affected by mental illness. In observance of Mental Health Awareness Month, Cumberland Mountain Community Services and its community partners in Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties are excited to announce “SWVA Community Connections,” a series of events throughout the month of May to identify and explore local opportunities for promoting mental wellness through:

Social Connection
Outdoor Natural Recreation
Nutrition & Healthy Living

All events are completely free and open to everyone. At each event, a prevention staff member will be available to connect participants to mental health resources and offer information on services provided by Cumberland Mountain Community Services. Training opportunities will also be available throughout May in Adverse Childhood Experiences, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Rapid REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program.

Social Connection Events:

Chill & Chat Popsicle Socials: Free Ice Cream, Popsicles, & Mental Health Resources from the CMCSB Prevention Mobile Unit

May 14, 12:30 pm – 2 pm, New Life Medicine Castlewood, 18948 US Hwy 58, Castlewood, VA

May 14, 3 pm - 5 pm, Fox Meadows Apartments, 35 Fox Meadow Dr, Lebanon, VA

May 20, 11 am – 1 pm, Fairfax Court Apartments, 221 Fairfax Avenue, Richlands, VA

May 20, 1:30 pm – 3 pm; New Life Medicine Richlands, 2011 2nd St, Richlands, VA

2000’s Music Trivia Night for Mental Health Awareness Month in partnership with The Russell Theater, May 28, 6:30 pm - 8 pm, The Russell Theater, 112 W Main St, Lebanon, VA

Fishing for Good Mental Health, Free Stocked Trout Fishing event for all ages- no license required, Free food, prizes, & mental health resources, on Saturday, June 6, 10 am – 2 pm, Patterson Volunteer Fire Department, 1108 Patterson Rd, Oakwood, VA

Outdoor Natural Recreation Events:

May 21, 10 am – 12 pm, Poplar Gap Park Guided Forest Therapy with Tina Hayes, Meet at Shelter by Stage, 1818 Fairgrounds Circle, Grundy, VA 24614

May 17, 3 pm - 5 pm, Guided Kayak Tour of Lake Witten with Outdoor Adventure Center’s Rick Barton, Meet at Cavitt’s Creek Park Office, Space limited to 15 participants, 750 Recreation Dr, North Tazewell, VA 24630, Register at https://KayakLakeWitten.eventbrite.com

Nutrition & Healthy Living:

May 28, 10 am – 12 pm, Food Demonstration & Nutrition Talk with VDH WIC Nutritionist LeeAnn Brooks & Oak Grove Seniors Group, Oak Grove Community Center, 10241 Moccasin Valley Rd, Lebanon, VA 24266

Training Opportunities:

May 22, 12 pm - 1:30 pm, Adverse Childhood Experiences training, Buchanan County Public Library, 1185 Poe Town Rd, Grundy, VA 24614

May 29, 12:30 pm – 5 pm, Youth Mental Health First Aid training, Richlands Public Library, 102 Suffolk Ave, Richlands, VA 24641

Training in Rapid REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education. The program only takes 5 minutes, will be available at every event listed above, and includes a free box of naloxone.

The full schedule of events, additional information about Mental Health Awareness Month, and resources can be found at www.CMCSB.com/MHAM and https://www.lockandtalk.org/campaigns/may. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
_______________________________________________________________________
Other Community Events in May that Support Mental Health

“SWVA Connections” will also highlight events already organized by a few local organizations in the Cumberland Plateau region that can help strengthen mental health and overall wellness. We encourage Buchanan, Russell & Tazewell County residents to attend these events, support the community organizations, and explore other opportunities for wellness in the month of May:

Town of Lebanon Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8 am – 1 pm, Wednesdays, 9 am – 2 pm, 137 Highland Dr, Lebanon, VA

Tazewell Farmers Market
Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm, 1615 Riverside Dr, North Tazewell, VA

Virginia Cooperative Extension -
Find events at https://russell.ext.vt.edu/ & https://tazewell.ext.vt.edu/

Russell County Public Library
Find events at https://russell.lib.va.us/calendar/

Tazewell County Public Library
Find events at https://tcplweb.org/events/

Buchanan County Public Library
Find events at https://bcplnet.org/calendar/

04/28/2026

Check out this upcoming training from our friends at Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society. Register at https://svlas.org/event/stewards-of-children/

04/25/2026

We're here with Russell County Sheriff's Office and Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps volunteers at Lebanon Food City, 159 Pittston Road, for National Drug Take Back Day until 2 pm! Bring your unused or expired medications for disposal, pick up some prevention resources, and get trained with naloxone to respond in an opioid overdose or fentanyl poisoning.