Montgomery, Ala. – Each September, tens of thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the country celebrate Recovery Month. They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues. In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and furthers a greater understanding about mental illness and substance use disorder.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health and its Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services encourages all community providers and advocacy groups to coordinate rallies, runs, open houses and many other events throughout the month. The 2019 Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks across the country to support recovery.
The months reminds us that mental illness and substance use disorder affects us all, and that we are all part of the solution. The observance will highlight inspiring stories to help thousands of people from all walks of life find the path to hope, health, and personal growth.
Commissioner Lynn Beshear, ADMH, said, “Stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use disorders can often prevent a person or their loved ones from seeking help or even talking about it. Mental illness and substance use disorders affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, geographic regions, and socioeconomic levels. There are very few families untouched by these issues.”
The Alabama Department of Mental Health celebrates the event to increase awareness and understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders and promote the message that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people do recover. Low to no cost treatment is available in our state and recovery is possible. ADMH’s Division of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, in partnership with several community providers and advocacy groups, coordinates rallies and many other events throughout the month.
For more information on National Recovery Month, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Recovery Month website at http://www.recoverymonth.gov.
Events and promotional information related to Recovery Month can be found during September on ADMH’s social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.
About Us: The Alabama Department of Mental Health serves more than 200,000 Alabama citizens with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and substance use disorders. The department strives to Serve, Empower, and offer support to create awareness while promoting the health and well-being of Alabamians. Visit www.mh.alabama.gov for more information.