Kingston, NY – Ulster County Executive Mike Hein proclaims the month of September as Recovery Month in Ulster County. This is a national event promoted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The 2015 Recovery Month theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Visible, Vocal, Valuable!” highlighting the value of peer support by educating, mentoring, and helping others and invites individuals in recovery and their support systems to be catalysts for change in their communities through civic involvement and advocacy.
“Mental health and/or substance use disorders are medical conditions that should be treated like any other chronic illness and affects all communities nationwide. In New York State, 50% of people who suffer from a mental health disorder are simultaneously struggling with some form of substance use,” said Ulster County Executive Mike Hein. “Alcohol and substance abuse not only affects the individual but can be devastating to their family and friends. It is important to raise awareness and reduce the social stigma that is often associated with addiction and provide information as to the services that are available to help those in need. I appreciate the Villa Veritas Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness during Recovery Month with their `Walk for Recovery´ on September 20, 2015. ”
Dr. Carol Smith, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health
“By designating September as Recovery Month, County Executive Mike Hein highlights the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover,” said Dr. Carol Smith, Ulster County Commissioner of Health and Mental Health. “It clearly speaks to our commitment to improving the lives of the people in our community who are struggling with mental health and substance dependency issues. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery oriented programs. By raising awareness of the problem of addiction, and giving hope that recovery is possible, we are taking the right step toward supporting and encouraging individuals to seek treatment services and, thereby, improve the overall quality of their health and well-being.”
Barbara King Swift, RD, CDN, Executive Director, Villa Veritas Foundation Inc.
“Recovery Month promotes the positive message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover,” said Barbara King Swift, Executive Director of Villa Veritas Foundation Inc. “We invite individuals, families and agencies to help celebrate recovery on September 20that the Walkway over the Hudson. We appreciate County Executive Hein’s support in helping raise awareness that help is available and people can lead rewarding and productive lives in recovery.”
According to the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 22.7 million Americans aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem, of which 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility; and out of 43.8 million Americans aged 18 or older who had mental health illness, 19.6 million received mental health services.
The Villa Veritas Foundation Inc. is celebrating National Recover Month with a “Walk the Walk For Recovery” on September 20, 2015 at the Walkway over the Hudson beginning at the Highland side. For information or to participate visit www.villaveritas.org or call 845-626-3555 (ext. 138).
For more information visit http://www.samhsa.gov/ or for resources in Ulster County, please contact the Ulster Prevention Council visit http://ulsterpreventioncouncil.org/?page_id=126 or call 845-458-7406 or visit Wellness & Recovery Resources in Ulster County at http://www.wellnessrecovery.org/ or contact the 24 hour New York State OASAS Hotline1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369)
