9 Ways to Celebrate National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month

For years people who struggle with addiction or mental health, as well as individuals living in recovery, have spent their lives isolated and alone. They often feel like they need to hide their pain and triumphs because of the stigma attached to it.

That’s why Recovery Month is so important. Recovery Month is a national observance which aims to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in long-term recovery. This holds treatment and recovery service providers in high esteem, who help individuals reclaim their lives, making their recovery possible. Thanks to Recovery Month, many individuals now feel comfortable sharing their stories, challenges and their new plans in regards to reaching their goals in the future.

Recovery Month also reminds us that recovery, in all of its forms, is possible. This encourages individuals to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need.

In Canada, Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) supported the initiative as part of their mandate to organize and mobilize Canadians in recovery from addiction. In 2018, over 30 cities celebrated Recovery Day events and each year more cities across Canada are joining in.

This year, FAVOR is introducing the SEE YOUR SELFIE (IN RECOVERY) campaign to inspire and share pictures of all those who are celebrating recovery. It is their hope that these pictures will help to capture the special moments of individuals in recovery and share it with others.

9 Ways You Can Celebrate National Recovery Month

Celebrate and show your support for the millions of individuals living in recovery from mental illness or a substance use disorder!

We encourage you to celebrate Recovery Month in your community to help bring awareness, reduce the stigma around substance use and mental health, and show your support for the millions of individuals living in recovery. Here are a few ways you can celebrate:

1. FIND an event near you to join in the celebration of individuals in recovery. You can find a list of participating cities here: https://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.ca/cities/ If you are in/near Winnipeg, we’d love to see you at RECOVERY DAY WINNIPEG (September 14 at the Forks)!
2. ENCOURAGE individuals in need of treatment and recovery services by sharing your uplifting stories and pictures. Tag them with #recoverymatters #SRWC #breakthestigma #recoverymonth #celebratingrecovery #AddictionAwareness
3. TAKE PART in FAVOR’s See Your Selfie campaign by sharing encouraging or important pictures and tag them #recoverymonth
4. SETUP a Facebook fundraiser on your page to support SRWC or another recovery related organization
5. BUILDING a life in recovery is easier with friends by your side. Get together with friends, family and community members for a picnic or other small event to celebrate life in recovery and offer support and encouragement in your local area
6. ATTEND a talk or informational seminar given by an individual who has experienced recovery, or a recovery professional
7. IF YOU are still living with harmful substance use, addiction, or other mental health issues, this may be the perfect time to find out more by looking up treatment and recovery services near you.
8. TAKE a moment today to say something encouraging to a friend, family member, neighbour, or coworker. You never know who may be struggling. Share your personal story of recovery with those who are ready to hear it.
9. WATCH movies or TV shows that relate to the recovery theme to help bring the journey of recovery to life. Share this with others.