The Greene/Sullivan County Wellness Fair took place Saturday at Saron Church in Linton.
Attendees had the the opportunity to participate in free on-site health services including blood pressure screenings, body mass index (BMI) readings, cholesterol screenings, diabetes risk assessments, blood glucose screenings, hearing screenings, eye screenings, teeth and gum screenings, oral cancer screenings, IU mobile lung cancer screenings, balance, gait, and foot screenings, mental health screenings, social work solutions, nutritional education, flu vaccinations, Narcan kits and overdose prevention training.
The Greene County Veterans Service Office manned one booth, offering veterans the chance to discuss all of the benefits due to them through the Veterans Administration and other resources. Veterans Service Officer Criss Sparks happily handed out treats, high-quality pens and free gun locks to visitors.
Right next door, a table manned by Department of Veterans Affairs Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator Melissa Vance-Blackwell and Department of Veterans Affairs Vet Center Outreach Program Specialist Tom Clayton discussed how the Vet Center works.
“Many veterans want help with the unique emotions and feelings they face after leaving the military, especially if they were deployed,” Clayton said. “They can’t ask just anybody, because nobody really understands unless they’ve been through the same experiences. The Vet Center is for vets, by vets and structured for vets. We help with sleep disorders, substance use, PTSD, unwanted thoughts and more. We understand the military experience and we are here to help.”
Vet Center services are confidential and available at no cost, regardless of discharge character and Vet Center records cannot be accessed by other VA or DoD offices, military units or other community networks or providers without permission of the veteran. There is no requirement to enroll in VA health care or have a service-connected disability.
For more information on the Vet Center, visit www.va.gov/evensville-vet-center or call 812-473-5993.
