Mental health and substance use disorders affect people of all ethnicities, ages, genders, geographic regions, and socioeconomic levels. These individuals can get better, both physically and emotionally, with the support of a welcoming community. Families and communities can find hope and spread the message that recovery works by celebrating Recovery Month in September.
“Oftentimes, individuals who experience mental health or a substance use disorder feel isolated and alone,” said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health. “Yet, every year, millions of Americans experience these conditions. It’s important that we offer support to individuals facing mental health and substance use disorders like we do for individuals with physical health illnesses. We need to create environments and relationships that normalize the healthcare conversation. There is help and there is hope, that mental health and substance use disorders can be treated and allow individuals to live their best lives.”
Trying to support someone in recovery? A few tips:
Find a private setting with limited distractions, where you might of other kinds of healthcare conversations, such as at home or on a walk.
Express concerns and be direct. Ask how they are feeling and describe the reasons for your concern.
Acknowledge their feelings and listen. Listen openly, actively, and without judgement.
Provide reassurance that mental and substance use disorders are treatable. Help them locate and connect to treatment services.
Be patient. Recognize that helping your loved one doesn’t happen overnight. Continue reaching out with offers to listen and help. Sometimes a person in recovery will ask you directly for help, but often they may be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help. But just hearing you tell them “I’m here for you and here to help,” is the best support someone can get. Make a clear, simple statement that you want to help and that you support them in this process.
Create a substance-free environment. Loved ones can protect those in recovery from substance use disorder by removing any drug paraphernalia and alcohol while encouraging them to stay away from places that lead to relapse.
The Division of Behavioral Health’s Office of Consumer Affairs holds its Lights of Hope event each year. This year’s event will be online. If you or someone you know are interested in lighting a virtual candle on behalf of your own recovery, a loved ones, or in memory of a loved one who has passed as a result of a behavioral health condition, please use the following link to personalize and submit your entry: http://dhhs.ne.gov/RecoveryMonth. The submission deadline is Sept.26. Messages will be posted on the DHHS Facebook page the week of Sept.27. Please do not include any personal identifying information in your message beyond your first name. We are unable to include any messages that include inappropriate or offensive language.