By Susan Jenkins, Executive Director, BRiDGES
(Oneida, NY – Sept. 2015) Every year the millions of Americans who experience a mental and/or substance use disorder feel isolated and alone. It’s imperative that we offer support to individuals facing mental and/or substance use disorders and create environments and relationships that promote acceptance. Support from peers, not shaming, is essential to recovery. It is important that individuals in the community get involved by starting and by joining conversations about prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Too many people are still unaware that prevention works and that mental and/or substance use disorders can be treated, just like other health problems. Having worked in the Prevention/Recovery field for more than 25 years and having experienced the transformative recovery of my mother, I have witnessed first-hand the positive reality of recovery. I know that individuals who fully embrace recovery achieve improved mental and physical health, as well as form stronger relationships with their neighbors, family members, and peers. We need to help more people feel like recovery is possible.
Mental and/or substance use disorders affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, geographic regions, and socioeconomic levels. These individuals can get better, both physically and emotionally, with the support of a welcoming community. They need to know that help is available. Community members can be change agents for spreading the message that recovery works by celebrating the annual National Recovery Month, an initiative sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Locally, BRiDGES is celebrating Recovery Month by holding a screening of the acclaimed video, The Anonymous People on Thursday Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in our conference room at
Light refreshments will be served.
We are asking people to RSVP by calling 697-3947 or email ksimchik@bridges-mccasa.org. BRiDGES is holding this as a way to honor individuals and families who are in long-term recovery. Your attendance demonstrates support of the recovery community and those who provide prevention, treatment, and recovery support services. Together we can help others realize the promise of recovery.