State marks national recovery month

September is being recognized as National Recovery Month in Illinois — a celebration of those in recovery from mental health and substance use conditions and an opportunity to promote new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and its community partners will raise awareness of recovery from substance use and/or mental health conditions all through the month.

Throughout Recovery Month, IDHS will partner with providers to host public awareness events such as trainings, speaking engagements, memorials, and online activities. IDHS will also join the campaign to light the Chicago skyline purple from September 3-9, which symbolizes recovery. IDHS will encourage the use of the hashtag #RecoveryBelongsIL to normalize recovery. These events are critical to addressing and removing the stigma associated with recovery and encouraging public support. It is also a time to celebrate people who are in recovery as a beacon of hope for those still struggling with substance use and/or mental health conditions. ​ ​ 

“At IDHS, we foster public understanding and acceptance of the benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery from behavioral health conditions. As we celebrate National Recovery Month, we are reminded that recovery benefits individuals, families, and their communities. Together, we will succeed in further increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and improving access to support,” said Secretary Designate Dulce M. Quintero.

In addition, for the first time, Chicago will host the 2024 National Recovery Rally Hub Event on September 21. People in recovery, their families and friends, and advocates from across the country will gather to celebrate and participate in a day full of recovery- centered education and community awareness.

The IDHS Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR) continues to promote and implement strategies targeted at reducing the potential harms of substance use in Illinois. In State fiscal year 2024, organizations enrolled in the Drug Overdose Prevention Program (DOPP) trained over 46,000 people on how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and respond by administering naloxone. In the same time period, DOPP-enrolled organizations distributed over 193,000 naloxone kits resulting in at least 3,175 DOPP-reported overdose reversals. In fiscal year 2022 alone, SUPR also funded treatment services for over 39,400 people across the state who were suffering from substance use disorders.