Mental health and fentanyl awareness event held in Chesapeake
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — An event was held at Mt. Pleasant Farms on Saturday to share the stories of those who've struggled with mental health in the past, and make sure everyone knows that help is there whenever they need it.
The event was put on to educate the public on mental health, as well as the ongoing fentanyl crisis, while remembering those who've been lost.
The event was put on by Parents United Against Fentanyl and For Mental Health Awareness.
'I put everything into this event to try to get the awareness out there to the public to save others. We don't have anything in here, in Chesapeake or Virginia Beach or everything's Northern Virginia. So, I wanted this awareness to be big,' said Sharon Roberts.
Multiple organizations from the DEA to local sheriff's offices and mayors were in attendance. Those who came shared their stories and learned about available resources and support to save lives. Sharon, the organizer, told us her story and why this event is so important.
'I lost both of my sons, one to taking a pill, one pill laced with fentanyl and heroin. It killed him. The other, my other son, Rob from not taking the pill. And that's where mental health comes in. So, we are we are trying to save lives. A lot of people that are addicts. They don't know where to go. They don't know where to go for mental health,' said Sharon Roberts
Sabrina Wipfler, the founder of Enough is Enough, drove all the way from Missouri to set up 705 crosses with the names and faces of those who've died from fentanyl.
'Sometimes when I think about it, I can get choked up in that. And I feel like they're all a part of me and my family now as I get to know a lot of the families and hear their stories, it just, it hits me. And I'm proud that they trust me with all of their loved ones and allow me to do what we do as a group. There are 705 crosses out here of people that should be here. It's impactful, it's depressing, it's sad, but hopefully it helps and saves somebody,' said Sabrina Wipfler.
Sharon says she hopes that this will be a yearly event going forward and that she will continue to educate families and the public on why mental health awareness and the fight against fentanyl is needed.
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