For 23 years the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has sponsored National Recovery Month in September along with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This year’s theme is ‘Join the Voice for Recovery: It’s Worth It,’ and emphasizes that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and overcoming mental and/or substance use disorders are significant and valuable to individuals, families and communities. People in recovery can achieve a healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally, and contribute in positive ways to their communities. They prove to family members and friends that prevention works, treatment is effective and people do recover. Mental and substance abuse disorders, as well as recovery from these disorders, are prevalent in people of every ethnicity, age, gender, geographic region and socioeconomic level. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 45.9 million adults age 18 or older had a mental illness in the past year, and 11.4 million of those had a serious mental illness. Additionally, 22.1 million Americans age 12 or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse, of those, 17.9 million people age 12 or older met the criteria for alcohol dependence or abuse. These illnesses or dependencies and abuse can seriously interfere with a person’s major life activities, as well as their relationships with family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors. However, mental illness and substance dependencies and abuse are highly treatable. Millions of Americans are in recovery today, and there are ways that those looking to recover or those that would like to help someone recover can support them, including:
I believe in Recovery Month’s message that mental health is essential, prevention works, treatment is effective and people do recover. Together we can support those in need of help and create stronger communities for all Hoosiers. -30-
State Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) Crouch Capitol Connection, National Recovery Month’s message, ‘It’s worth it’ , 9-21-12.doc |
