Building Stronger Futures through Recovery
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced September as Recovery Month, 2023. Recovery Month is dedicated to promoting prevention, treatment and recovery for New Mexicans living with mental health and substance use disorders.
National Recovery Month is held every September to create awareness about substance use treatment and mental health services to support those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
“Recovery is possible, and no matter where you are, no matter who you are, no one is alone, said Alex Castillo Smith, deputy secretary for the New Mexico Human Services Department. “We know nearly 3 out of 4 people who experience addiction eventually recover, and we are here to help provide the right supports, tools, and resources, so everyone can live a meaningful life.”
Recovery Month celebrates the progress made by New Mexicans in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions. This observance reinforces that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. Recovery Month events will be held across New Mexico with opportunities to access services. A full calendar of events is available at: 2023 Recovery Celebrations.
There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. Since these successes often go unnoticed, Recovery Month is an opportunity to celebrate these accomplishments. They speak about their strides and share their stories with their neighbors, friends, and colleagues. They also speak of relapse as a natural part of recovery for many individuals. Relapse does not diminish progress that has been made, and is a steppingstone towards greater resilience, self-awareness, and healing. In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and foster a greater understanding about mental and substance use disorders.
HSD is committed to support fellow New Mexicans who are struggling with mental health and/or substance use. It starts by gaining the support of loved ones and neighbors to begin their recovery journey. People can and do recover if they are in a supported and safe environment and provided with the tools they need.
If you or someone you know is concerned about safety, having a hard time, feeling hopeless, confused, angry, or lonely, worried about alcohol or drug use, in need of information or referrals for local community services, or you have something on your mind that you want to discuss with someone outside of current situation, please call, text, or chat with 988. Help is confidential, free and available 365/24/7.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued a proclamation, declaring September 2023 as Recovery Month.
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We talk, interpret and smile in all languages. We provide written information to our customers in both English and Spanish and interpretation services are available in 58 languages through our provider, CTS Language Link. For our hearing, and speech impaired customers, we utilize Relay New Mexico, a free 24-hour service that ensures equal communication access via the telephone to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.
The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to 1,034,001 New Mexicans through several programs including: the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and several Behavioral Health Services.