Illinois Celebrates National Recovery Month

Illinois Celebrates National Recovery Month

Statewide events during September will recognize and promote recovery from substance use and mental health conditions

CHICAGO — In a new proclamation, Governor JB Pritzker acknowledged September as National Recovery Month in Illinois — a celebration of those in recovery from mental health and substance use conditions and an opportunity to promote new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and its community partners will raise awareness of recovery from substance use and/or mental health conditions all through the month.

Throughout Recovery Month, IDHS will partner with providers to host public awareness events such as trainings, speaking engagements, memorials, and online activities. IDHS will also join the campaign to light the Chicago skyline purple from September 3-9, which symbolizes recovery. IDHS will encourage the use of the hashtag #RecoveryBelongsIL to normalize recovery. These events are critical to addressing and removing the stigma associated with recovery and encouraging public support. It is also a time to celebrate people who are in recovery as a beacon of hope for those still struggling with substance use and/or mental health conditions.

“At IDHS, we foster public understanding and acceptance of the benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from behavioral health conditions. As we celebrate National Recovery Month, we are reminded that recovery benefits individuals, families, and their communities. Together, we will succeed in further increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to support,” said Secretary Designate Dulce M. Quintero.

In addition, for the first time, Chicago will host the 2024 National Recovery Rally Hub Event on September 21. People in recovery, their families and friends, and advocates from across the country will gather to celebrate and participate in a day full of recovery- centered education and community awareness.

The IDHS Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) continues to promote and implement strategies targeted at reducing the potential harms of substance use in Illinois. In State fiscal year 2024, organizations enrolled in the Drug Overdose Prevention Program (DOPP) trained over 46,000 people on how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and respond by administering naloxone. In the same time period, DOPP-enrolled organizations distributed over 193,000 naloxone kits resulting in at least 3,175 DOPP-reported overdose reversals. In fiscal year 2022 alone, SUPR also funded treatment services for over 39,400 people across the state who were suffering from substance use disorders.

The State continues to provide important recovery resources for residents and to celebrate people who are in recovery from substance use and/or mental health conditions. Please visit the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration website to learn more about this important month and how you can get involved.

If you or someone you know is suffering from a substance use disorder, contact the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances by calling 1-833-2FINDHELP (1-833-234-6343), texting "HELP" to 833234, or visiting: www.helplineIL.org.

For mental health and other crisis support, dial 9-8-8 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline anytime (24/7/365).

For recovery and wellness support, call the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. This line provides phone-based wellness and recovery support for anyone in Illinois. It is staffed by people who identify as individuals in recovery and therefore provides a unique blend of self-directed, empowering support, with education that includes resource materials and contacts.

IDHS is the State’s largest agency, with more than 14,000 employees. IDHS is a principal department of the State of Illinois that provides public assistance, family and community services, child care, and services to people with disabilities throughout the State, and that oversees mental health and substance use prevention and recovery services. IDHS is proud of its diversity, efficiency, and the services that the agency and its community partners provide to Illinois residents.

IDHS always strives for and drives toward equity. IDHS is accountable for providing relief and assistance to those who are in greatest need and who have been marginalized from resources and opportunities. IDHS protects and supports people who experience or are at risk of homelessness, immigrant and refugee families, victims of domestic violence, victims of firearm violence, people with disabilities, opportunity youth (young people who are between the ages of 16 to 24 years old and are disconnected from school and work), unemployed adults, and individuals and families who are at risk of being food insecure.

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