By Destiny Hancock
Contributing writer
For nearly half a century, Karen Rodden has been a beacon of hope at New River Valley Community Services, dedicating her career to supporting those in crisis.
Rodden’s office at New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) was at one time covered with 1,000 flamingos – a cheerful reflection of her personality. She carries crystals and wears Turkish evil eye jewelry – bracelets, rings, and necklaces – as talismans of positivity. But it’s her voice, filled with empathy and patience, that has become a lifeline for countless individuals during her 49-year career.
Karen has witnessed the evolution of mental health services and the growing awareness of its importance. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one-in-five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, showing the critical nature of Karen’s work. Karen’s coworker, Amy Caldwell, who has worked with her for two and a half years, highlights Karen’s crucial role within their organization: “Karen is one of the first people that a client will speak to when they contact NRVCS. She’s the initial contact when the client is at their lowest and worst; with her kindness and patience and genuine care for others, she’s able to connect with the client and create a smooth start to working with our company.” Karen’s daughter, Sarah Rodden, elementary school teacher, provides insight into her mother’s impact. Sarah paused, collecting herself. “She’s saved so many lives in this community. She’s made people at rock bottom feel like there’s hope.” Her voice softened with admiration as she spoke about her mother’s contributions.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that in 2020, 41.4 million adults received mental health services. For many in the New River Valley, Karen has been an integral part of accessing those crucial services. Karen Rodden has been the voice on the other end of the line for thousands of individuals in their darkest moments. Her journey began with a curiosity about psychology and a desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Rodden’s initial exploration into mental health was sparked by coursework in psychology at Radford University, where she quickly transitioned from administrative tasks to frontline crisis intervention. “I moved to a clinic as a front desk secretary in 1975, and found my passion for helping others,” she recalls. Since Rodden’s early days at NRVCS, the organization has grown exponentially. “When I started, we had about 15 employees,” she notes, leaning back in her seat, marveled at NRVCS’s growth since her early days. Today, NRVCS employs between 600 and 800 staff members, and providing comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment services throughout the New River Valley.
The depth of Karen’s commitment is evident in how she goes above and beyond her job requirements. Amy recounts, “One instance, I recall, an established client got to the screen room and was in need of their medication and was having such a hard time getting to speak with someone. Karen verified their needs and that they were safe and then contacted med service to speak to the nurse for the client to help resolve the issue, so the client only had to talk to her to have the issue resolved.”
Sarah adds a personal anecdote that illustrates her mother’s compassion: “I remember someone was really struggling to feed their pet while they were struggling with their mental health, and they were in a grave living situation. And so, Mom literally spent the majority of her day trying to find this dog food because she heard it in the background of the phone call,” she said. Karen Rodden later quietly delivered dog food to the client’s clinic for four months, her daughter added. Karen’s ability to truly listen is one of her most valuable assets. Amy notes, “She listens to learn not to respond. Because of that she catches things that others would bypass, and she digs into that, getting more information and offering more help because she’s getting all the information at once.”
Over her long career, Karen has witnessed and adapted to numerous changes in the mental health field. Amy humorously quotes from the movie “Mean Girls” to describe Karen’s adaptability: “The limit does not exist. The only constant with NRVCS is change and Karen takes it like a champ and excels with the changes.” The evolution of technology has been particularly significant. She recalled the days of typewriters and carbon paper, where a single error meant retyping entire pages. Rodden chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she recalled the days of typewriters and carbon paper. “If there was an error in the report, I’d have to type the whole page over,” she said, mimicking the clacking of typewriter keys with her fingers. She leaned in, as if sharing a secret. “Now you can just edit it, but I got so crafty at fixing mistakes without retyping.”
The impact of Karen’s work extends beyond her professional life. Sarah reflects, “Growing up, I was engulfed in mom’s job because I went there as an infant. I was in a playpen growing up there.” She laughed softly, recalling her mother’s coworkers. “Many of them became like aunts to me, especially in the ’80s and ’90s when Mom worked with her best friends.” Sarah’s expression grew thoughtful. “I learned very quickly how to be empathetic and the importance of empathy. Now that I’m a teacher, I think I’m open to understanding more about the issues that each individual has and how to problem-solve in a more positive way for them.” Karen’s dedication to her work has shaped her family life in profound ways. Sarah explains, “She’s definitely shown me work ethic and what it means to stick with something both good and bad, but the work ethic has really taught me that I need to be patient, and I need to work hard towards my goals and if I don’t have them right now, I need to just keep holding on.”
Despite the emotional toll of her work, Karen finds balance through her love of music, gardening, and shopping. “Music has been a part of me since my teens,” Rodden said. “I grew up in the era of ‘60’s and ‘70’s music, the real music, the Rolling Stones, and all those. I always have music on regardless of where I’m at.” She recently attended a Rolling Stones concert with her daughter, her fourth time seeing the band, and one of many shared experiences that highlight the joy she brings to both her personal and professional life. Perhaps most poignantly, Amy summarizes the life-saving nature of Karen’s work: “Her being the first person a suicidal person speaks to, someone who is ready to end it all now, speaks to her and she helps them find a reason to try and gives them the tools they need to try as well. She follows up on clients, she makes them feel heard, seen, and valued. Her presence has saved many people, and it will continue as long as she’s here.”
As Karen approaches her final months at NRVCS before retiring this fall, her legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to mental health support continues to inspire both her colleagues and the community she serves. Her story stands as a testament to the profound impact one voice can have on countless lives. Her departure marks the end of an era for the agency, but her legacy of resilience and advocacy will continue to influence mental health services in the region. “I still find the field fascinating.” she admits with a smile, contemplating her future beyond NRVCS. Her impact spans generations of clients and colleagues, leaving behind a ripple effect on our community of legacy bound in compassion and hope.
New River Valley Community Services has expanded significantly since Karen Rodden joined nearly five decades ago, now offering a comprehensive range of mental health and substance abuse services. These include crisis intervention, featuring a 23-hour Crisis Center in Radford, forensic evaluations, community outreach programs collaborating with schools and law enforcement, and medication management services. While specific program details would require verification with NRVCS, it’s clear the agency has evolved significantly to meet the diverse mental health needs of the New River Valley community.
