The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has proclaimed that September is National Recovery Month — and numerous agencies in Charlotte County are taking part to both celebrate and raise awareness. Recovery Month encourages communities nationwide to spread the message that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can recover from mental and substance use disorders.
Charlotte County will celebrate this with a candlelight vigil to show that recovery can happen and recovery works.
The Candlelight Vigil is from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 27 at Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. The event is being led by Charlotte Behavioral Health Care. The vigil — which was attended by more than 200 people last year — will draw support from many people in recovery, as well as their friends and families.
According to Jessica Boles, Director of Marketing for CBHC, mental and substance use disorders are a critical challenge in Charlotte County — a must be addressed with urgency. The vigil is a way to draw attention to the issue, and to raise awareness for people in need of treatment and recovery support services.
“It is critical that people experiencing mental and substance use disorders receive the support they need from the community,” said Jay Glynn, CEO of CBHC. “The reality is that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.”
Recovery Month was established to promote the benefits to society of prevention, treatment and recovery for mental and substance use disorders; celebrate people in recovery; laud the contributions of treatment and service providers; and promote 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, and treatment is effective.
The Recovery Vigil will emphasize the importance of seeking physical and mental wellness every day, through multiple pathways and throughout the recovery process, to achieve health and well-being. In keeping with that goal, participants will be able to find out more regarding the area services available.
Several organizations will have tables where participants can stop for information. Some of these include Drug Free Charlotte County, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Homeless Coalition, Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies, Celebrate Recovery at First Alliance Church, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Haven and others.
Also on hand will be CHBC, which opened more than 40 years ago, and provides a number of resources to members in the community in an effort to improve the quality of life to those in Charlotte County. Services include substance abuse and mental health services, detox, crisis services, addiction services and adult and children outpatient services and court services. The facility serves more than 10,000 people a year with 3,000 being children.
For more information, or to reserve a provider table, contact Jessica Boles at jboles@cbhcfl.org or 941-639-8300, ext. 275.