Every September, as a part of National Recovery Month, SAMHSA celebrates people who have achieved long-term recovery from mental and substance use disorders and those who provide treatment and recovery services. This year marks the 28th annual observance, which also included the release of SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) at a press conference in Washington, DC. Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Elinore McCance-Katz, M.D., Ph.D., shared key findings from the NSDUH report. Daryl Kade, M.A., Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality described the scope and methodology of the NSDUH survey. Kimberly Johnson, Ph.D., Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and Paolo del Vecchio, M.S.W., Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services were joined by Fran Harding, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and speakers from the recovery community to discuss the impact treatment programs and providers are having on the lives of Americans.
This year’s theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities.” SAMHSA produced radio and television PSAs and offered communities a toolkit to plan their participation. Organizations throughout the United States participated by hosting over 2,000 events such as conferences, educational events, wellness celebrations, walks or runs, and other special programs.
National Recovery Month is not just about the individuals living in long-term recovery, but those who work in the field and make it possible. A nonprofit started the observance in 1989 as “Treatment Works!,” celebrating the contributions of the treatment community. After SAMHSA took over the observance, individuals in recovery were included in the observance.
The post SAMHSA Celebrates Recovery Month appeared first on .