Triple Divide Lodge

National Recovery Month: A Time to Heal

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five American adults lives with a mental health condition. September is National Recovery Month, and this year’s theme is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which sponsors Recovery Month, is using the slogan to encourage people to speak up about their mental health and reach out for help if they need it. 

Mental health conditions are common, but they are often misunderstood. This month is a chance to break the silence and start a conversation about mental health. 

What Is National Recovery Month?

National Recovery Month is an annual observance that promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental and substance use disorders. The observance began in 1989 as Alcohol Awareness Week which was expanded in 1998 to include all substance abuse disorders. Mental health was later included as an additional focus in 2009.

This year’s theme, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community,” encourages people to speak up about their mental health and reach out for help if they need it. The goal is to reduce the stigma around mental illness and substance abuse disorders and to show that treatment works. 

Why Is National Recovery Month Important?

Even though mental illness is common, only 41 percent of those adults received treatment in the past year. 

There are many reasons why people do not seek treatment for mental illness. Some people do not realize they have a problem. Others fear stigmatization and discrimination. Still, others cannot afford treatment or do not have access to resources. 

This month is a chance to break the silence and start a conversation about mental health. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of available resources and dispel some of the myths about mental illness and addiction. 

How Can I Get Involved?

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health condition or addiction, there is help available. Here are some resources that can help: 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline offers free and confidential information on treatment facilities, support groups, and local resources 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator helps you find drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities near you at https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/. 

The Substance Abuse Finder tool from Addiction Center can help you find local resources at https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-centers/. 

You can also find helpful resources on NAMI’s website at https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine or by calling their helpline at 800-950-NAMI (6264).

Lastly, visit https://recoverymonth.gov/. SAMHSA’s Recovery Month website offers tools and resources for individuals in recovery as well as their families, friends, and allies; behavioral health professionals; policymakers; substance abuse prevention partners; media professionals; etc.”   

Join The Conversation during National Recovery Month! Let’s break the silence around Mental Illness! If you or someone you know needs help, plenty of confidential services are available to help you on your road toward recovery! 

Do you know someone who is struggling with substance abuse issues? Triple Divide Lodge is a residential and wilderness therapy program that works with young men, ages 14-19. We help those struggling with substance use disorders and other co-occurring issues. If you would like to speak to one of our staff about getting a person in your life the help they need, please contact us today.

Patrick Hawkins

Patrick Hawkins is a Licensed Addictions Counselor. Since 1995 he has been dedicated to working with adolescents and young adults. He began working in this type of model in 1996 and has become a nationally trusted name utilizing the outdoors as a part of substance abuse treatment. He has led over 50 expeditions, accumulated over 1,100 days in the backcountry treating clients, and helped hundreds of young men and their families work toward recovery. Patrick helped teens with substance use disorders during his time as the Clinical Director of a wilderness therapy program for young men with drug and alcohol addictions. An expert in the field of experiential therapy, Patrick has led hundreds of clients on wilderness expeditions and supported their sobriety. Contact him at (406) 296-5776