Veterans in the Orlando VA Healthcare System are using Dungeons & Dragons as part of the Reimagining Veterans’ Emotions, Actions, and Life Skills (REVEAL) Program, which promotes mental health and emotional wellness. Launched in 2023, the program encourages trust, communication, and peer connections through tabletop gaming. Navy Veteran Victor Mitchell, who leads the initiative, found gaming to be a lifeline during his own struggles and aims to offer similar support to others.

The REVEAL Program meets twice monthly, providing a space for Veterans to engage in an ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaign. This environment fosters teamwork and problem-solving without the pressures typically found in therapy. Participants like Army Veteran Jennifer Chester and Air Force Veteran Brandon Sittler express appreciation for the camaraderie and creative freedom the program offers. Chester highlights the joy and laughter shared among Veterans, while Sittler values the social aspect and the community formed through shared experiences. Mitchell hopes the success of the REVEAL Program will inspire similar initiatives throughout the VA, emphasizing that gaming can effectively connect Veterans while allowing them to avoid reliving painful memories.