During the regular meeting that was held on Wednesday, September 7, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners recognized September as National Recovery Month to help increase public awareness surrounding mental health and addiction recovery.
The theme of National Recovery Month is “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” An estimated 10 million people in the United States are affected by mental and/or substance use disorders, according to a press release from the Marion County Board of County Commissioners.
National Recovery Month, which began in 1989, is a national observance that is held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible.
Marion County residents are encouraged to support National Recovery Month and to honor those who were lost to addiction and fentanyl poisoning.
“Providing health and well-being is a priority of this commission,” stated Carl Zalak, Chairman of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners. “We have started putting out public service announcements to our community to make sure they are health conscious and understand the risks of mental/substance illnesses. We will continue to build upon that and provide opportunities for our communities to thrive in a safe and healthy manner.”
Mark Lander, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Marion County, said, “Increasing access to recovery services is a key component in fighting substance abuse and saving lives. Through collaborative efforts, Marion County is prioritizing these services to support individuals suffering with substance use disorder. Educating our community on available resources is key to overcoming addiction.”
In the years since National Recovery Month launched, several initiatives have helped families and individuals, and grant funding has been disbursed to recovery organizations to help with the cost of those needing assistance. This initiative has helped the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration collaborate with private and public entities to celebrate individuals during their long-term recoveries.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners invite all residents of Marion County to participate in National Recovery Month.
For more information regarding National Recovery Month, please visit the Florida Department of Health in Marion County or Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websites.