“National Recovery Month is a national observance that educates Americans on the fact that addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life”. -SAMHSA
National Recovery Month gives hope to many people who believe a life after the diagnosis is not possible. This month is vital to challenge some of the negative externalities caused by the stigma on mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Those who live with such conditions deal with discrimination, social isolation, and having a month focused on recovery can be the light at the end of the tunnel.
This month is dedicated to education about prevention and available resources for those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Throughout the country, there are programs being done to advocate for those with mental illness.
Recovery month not only lifts people up with positivity, it creates an environment that encourages people to live past their mental illness by taking back their lives. Every day spent as a victim to your mental illness or substance abuse disorder is one day that you’ll never get back but with recovery you can make living with a mental illness worth the fight.
Today hearing recovery stories are becoming more and more popular. People all over the world are standing up again their illness, against the stigma, but most importantly against that little voice that told them they couldn’t have a life passed their mental illness.
There are messages of optimism going around in hopes to help others to find their own path to recovery. Let’s take this month to honor those who have battled mental illness and substance abuse disorders and let’s let them know that recovery is possible and we’ll help them every step of the way.
