COMMUNITY
TOGETHER WE HEAL
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY FOR VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH
Imagine a group of veterans gathered for a weekend hike, trading stories and laughter as they trek through the woods. What looks like a simple recreational outing is actually something profound: a remedy for the isolation many veterans feel after service. Community gatherings – whether a casual coffee social or an organized adventure – create a lifeline of camaraderie and understanding. They replace loneliness with fellowship, helping veterans feel connected to others who “get it.” Increasingly, research shows that these shared experiences aren’t just pleasant distractions; they play a critical role in healing the invisible wounds of war.
Why Community Matters
If isolation is the enemy, community is the cure. Building social bonds in civilian life gives veterans back a sense of belonging and purpose that many feared lost. In a community setting, be it a local veterans’ meetup or a team sports league, individuals move from feeling alone to feeling supported.
The Department of Veterans Affairs emphasizes that building social support systems among veterans is vital for overall health
(mentalhealth.va.gov). That’s because proper social support over time can literally improve physical and mental well-being
Psychologically, being part of a group reminds veterans that they’re not alone in their struggles. Sharing a laugh with someone who has walked a similar path, or even just seeing familiar faces regularly, can dramatically lift one’s mood. It combats the negative inner voice that says “no one understands me.” Instead, community involvement replaces it with a reassuring truth: We’re in this together.
This sense of belonging acts like an emotional anchor, steadying veterans through the waves of stress or sadness that can come after military life.
The Cost of Isolation
When military service ends, the tight-knit camaraderie of unit life often ends with it. Veterans may suddenly find themselves without the daily support network they once relied on. It’s no surprise that many feel adrift – even the VA has noted that veterans often experience social isolation after leaving the military, due in part to the loss of the military community (news.va.gov).
This isolation isn’t just a passing sadness; it can have serious consequences. Studies link chronic loneliness with higher risks of depression and anxiety (warriorallegiance.com).
In veterans, PTSD symptoms can worsen when someone withdraws from others (warriorallegiance.com), creating a vicious cycle where feeling bad leads to hiding away, which in turn makes the trauma harder to cope with.
Over the long term, prolonged isolation is as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day (extension.unh.edu), increasing the risk of not only mental health disorders but also strokes and heart disease. In short, living in isolation weighs heavily on both mind and body.
Healing Effects
From Depression to PTSD
One of the most powerful aspects of community is its ability to alleviate symptoms of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Strong social connections act as a buffer against these issues. Research shows that social support is a major protective factor that shields against depression and post-traumatic stress (NIH).
In fact, veterans with robust support networks tend to have lower rates of PTSD symptoms and faster recovery when they do face trauma-related episodes (NIH).
The reasons are both practical and psychological. Friends in a group might notice if a fellow veteran is withdrawing and encourage them to come out to the next event, interrupting a downward spiral of depression.
Simply getting out of the house to attend a gathering can reduce anxious rumination and rekindle positive emotions. Community activities also provide healthy distractions and coping outlets – for example, an art workshop or a music jam session can gently reduce hypervigilance and numbness in a veteran with PTSD by channeling their focus into a creative, communal task.
Even structured therapeutic activities that are group-based show results: music therapy sessions with fellow veterans have been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and emotional numbness related to PTSD (warriorallegiance.com).
The shared experience of healing in a group normalizes the struggles. Veterans see others working through similar challenges and feel hopeful that they can too. In essence, being part of a community gives veterans a toolkit for mental wellness – lifting mood, quieting anxiety, and easing trauma – all through the simple, profound act of connecting with others.
Shared Experiences, Shared Strength
Community support for veterans goes far beyond a sympathetic pat on the back – it often takes shape as structured group activities that are as enjoyable as they are beneficial.
Think of things like group hikes, game nights, fitness boot camps, or volunteering projects. These aren’t merely pastimes; they are deliberately organized opportunities for veterans to rebuild the camaraderie they miss. Fellowship programs and veteran groups create safe, welcoming spaces where everyone has a shared mission: support each other and have fun doing it.
In these settings, healing happens organically. A pickup basketball game at the local gym might lead to jokes and storytelling, which in turn lightens someone’s emotional load. A weekend camping trip could help a veteran who’s been feeling numb start to literally feelagain – the campfire warmth, the bond of friendship, even the confidence from overcoming a tough hike.
Group events also encourage vets to step outside their comfort zones in a positive way: someone battling anxiety might gradually feel safer in crowds after attending weekly meetups, and someone coping with depression may find themselves smiling more often thanks to the routine of seeing friends.
A Track Built On Community
At its heart, the Top Dog Championships are about more than horsepower and competition — they are about people. Hosted annually at Summit Point Speedway, this high-energy motorsports event serves as a powerful touchstone for community building, camaraderie, and emotional renewal. While the roar of the engines is thrilling, it is the relationships formed off the track that create the most lasting impact.
Inclusion At Every Turn
For our fellow veterans, stepping onto the speedway is often symbolic — a reminder that life after service can still bring purpose, adrenaline, and joy. Whether they drive or cheer from the stands, everyone is included. Participation fuels confidence. Observation fosters belonging. The event is structured so that no one is left behind — not the drivers, not the spectators, not the volunteers.
Introducing "Camp Rally"
And this year, we are taking that spirit even further.
For the first time, Top Dog is expanding into a two-day event, kicking off with an overnight community gathering called “Camp Rally.” The night before race day, a limited number of attendees, family members, supporters, and drivers will have the opportunity to camp onsite — setting up tents or RVs under the open sky of Summit Point. Fire pits crackling, lawn chairs circled, stars overhead — it is not just about sleeping near the track; it is about rekindling the kind of camaraderie that only happens when you share space, stories, and laughter into the night. Space is limited for both tent and RV camping, but those who attend will be part of something rare: a motorsports festival with soul.
TOP DOG
CHAMPIONSHIP
RACING TOWARD CONNECTION AND HEALING
Recreation As Medicine
Studies show that positive social interaction, shared experiences, and engagement in recreational activities are all associated with improved mental health outcomes, particularly for those recovering from trauma or grappling with isolation. The Top Dog Championships are a living example of that science in motion. Veterans, non-veterans, families, and first-time attendees quickly find themselves immersed in a welcoming and electric environment.
Everyone Has A Role To Play
Spectators play an equally important role in this ecosystem of healing. Cheering from the sidelines, engaging with booths, or simply sharing a meal with fellow attendees creates opportunities for organic connection — something we know is vital in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Top Dog Championships are designed to be high-octane but low-pressure. You do not need to drive to feel the rush.
A Celebration Of Resilience
It is also a day of celebration — of resilience, recovery, and friendly competition. The track becomes a meeting point for different generations of service members, civilians, supporters, professionals, and families. For some, it is their first event since leaving the military. For others, it is an annual tradition that reminds them they are still part of something bigger than themselves.
Fueling Mental Wellness Through Motion
In every lap and handshake, every conversation between races, and every shared moment around a fire the night before — a sense of community is rebuilt. This is what makes the Top Dog Championships more than a race. It is a mental wellness initiative wrapped in the thrill of motorsports. It is joy. It is belonging. It is RALLY4VETS.