Recovery Month

WHEREAS, mental illnesses, substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders affect millions of individuals, as well as their concerned families and friends; and

WHEREAS, approximately 45.6 million Americans aged 18 or older had mental illnesses in the past year, and about 11.5 million of those adults had serious mental illnesses. Additionally, 20.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were classified with substance use disorders in the past year. In 2011, eight million adults reported having co-occurring disorders, meaning they have both a mental and a substance use disorder; and

WHEREAS, this year marks the 25^th Anniversary of National Recovery Month, which seeks to promote the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The observance also celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover; and

WHEREAS, in 2011, of the 45.6 million Americans aged 18 and older who experienced mental illnesses, just 31.6 million received mental health services. Moreover, 19.3 million people aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem, but did not receive treatment at a specialty facility in the past year; and

WHEREAS, this year’s Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Speak Up, Reach Out,” encourages people to openly speak up about mental and substance use disorders and the reality of recovery, and promotes ways individuals can use to recognize behavioral health issues and reach out for help; and

WHEREAS, September has been designated by the Alabama Department of Mental Health’s Substance Abuse Advocacy Task Force and the Alabama Recovery Month Committee as Recovery Month, with groups throughout the state hosting community events to celebrate individuals in recovery and the treatment professionals who have helped them reclaim their lives; and

WHEREAS, to help achieve the goal of recovery, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Mental Health America, Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD, Alabama Department of Mental Health, ADMH Substance Abuse Advocacy Task Force, Alabama Recovery Month Committee, Alabama Voices of Recovery, FORMLL, Wings Across Alabama and NAMI Alabama invite all Alabamians to participate in Recovery Month:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama do hereby proclaim the month of September 2014 as

Recovery Month

in the state of the Alabama.