I am asking all residents of Eastern Oregon to join me in celebrating this September as National Recovery Month. I, Karen Wheeler, do hereby proclaim Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc. will observe the month of September 2021 as National Recovery Month in service to all communities in the GOBHI service area which includes the Tribal Nations of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Burns Paiute Tribe, Baker, Grant, Gilliam, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler Counties. I call upon our community partners to observe this month with compelling programs and events that support this year’s observance, the 32nd anniversary of Recovery Month.
Honoring Recovery Month helps increase awareness about the signs of mental health and substance use disorders and encourages people in need of services to seek help. Managing the effects of these conditions helps individuals reduce the harmful impacts of substance use, achieve optimal physical and mental health and improves community health overall.
While the stress of COVID-19 has affected everyone nationwide in different ways, the COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for those with substance use and mental health disorders. Additionally, recent data and reports show that fatal drug overdoses in the United States have been increasing before and during the pandemic. GOBHI is committed to continuity of care by supporting a network of behavioral health providers in their efforts to offer timely services to those that are struggling with substance use, including misuse and addiction.
Mental health and substance use disorders affect all U.S. communities. With commitment and support, those impacted can embark on a journey of improved health and overall wellness. The focus of National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) this September is to celebrate all people that make the journey of recovery possible by embracing the 2021 theme, “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” Recovery Month spreads the message that people can and do recover every day.
In 2020, 2,388 EOCCO members were identified as having a substance use disorder; 7,192 EOCCO members were identified as having a mental health disorder and and 897 EOCCO members were identified as having co-occurring mental health/SUD issues. These numbers do not address the impact that SUD/MH issues have on the community, families, or peers of those living with the effects of SUD/MH disparities.
The Recovery Month observance continues to work to improve the lives of those affected by mental health and substance use disorders by raising awareness and educating communities about the effective resources available. For the above reasons, I am asking the residents of Eastern Oregon to join me in celebrating this September as National Recovery Month.
I, Karen Wheeler, CEO of GOBHI do hereby proclaim the month of September 2021 as National Recovery Month in Eastern Oregon and call upon our community to observe this month with compelling programs and events that support this year’s observance, the 32nd anniversary of Recovery Month.
Signed,
Karen Wheeler, GOBHI CEO