LAKE NONA, Fla. — A group of veterans in Orlando are using maps, dice, and their imagination to improve their mental health.
What You Need To Know
Orlando VA hosts a program called REVEAL, encouraging veterans to play Dungeons and Dragons
The tabletop, role-play game encourages creativity, teamwork, and imagination
Veterans in the program say the meetings have improved their mental health by reducing stress and promoting socialization
The group meets twice a month at the Lake Nona campus
They meet at the Orlando VA campus in Lake Nona, participating in a program called REVEAL, which stands for Reimagining Veterans’ Emotions, Actions, and Life Skills.
Twice a month, the group plays Dungeons & Dragons, a popular tabletop role-playing game.
“What gaming does — it allows veterans to find that sense of community, especially with other veterans,” said personal support assistant Victor Mitchell. “But it also allows them to connect with one another on a topic that isn’t exactly the military service that they all share.”
The program improves mental health by encouraging socialization and creativity in a safe-space. Veteran John Bell told Spectrum News he is new to the program, but likes to get out of the house and play a game with peers.
Michael Dodge, who says he’s played the game since his teens, says it keeps the brain moving.
“This is great for getting in, meeting with people, and being able to flex your gray matter because it’s important as you get older,” said Dodge.
More than 150,000 veterans visit the Orlando VA for services. Staff say they see about 27,000 veterans for mental health services each month.
“No matter what the program is, they’re going to need to integrate with the community afterwards. It was one of the greatest strengths they had — they were part of a unit and they had people they can depend on. Having that within their recovery is absolutely fundamental,” said Jeremy Goldberg, a mental health social work section manager at Orlando VA.
Veterans say the program works, and they look forward to continuing their campaign when they meet.
“It helps release stress, believe it or not,” said veteran Peter Joyce. “At the end of the week, you kind of need something to do.”
It’s worked for lead peer support specialist Jimmy Deloney, who says this is his recovery and it’s transforming his personality.
“I’m a social butterfly now. Back in the days I wasn’t,” said Deloney. “So this camaraderie that I have here with this family is amazing.”
Veterans interested in learning more about the REVEAL Program may contact Mitchell at 407-631-2340 or Deloney at 407-840-8620. The group meets on the second and fourth Friday of each month, except for holidays, at 1 p.m.
Veterans can also reach out to the crisis hotline for support by clicking here.