In 2012, 43.7 million people aged 18 or older had a mental illness, according to the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual survey released by the U. S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). However, only 34.1 million people received mental health services. In addition, 23.1 million aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2012, but only 3.8 million received treatment at a specialty facility for substance use disorders.
September is National Recovery Month, and Community Mental Health Center, Inc., Lawrenceburg, joins mental health services providers in Indiana and nationwide in marking this important celebration of the accomplishments of people in recovery.
The nationwide observance of National Recovery Month is sponsored by SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), within the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). National Recovery Month raises awareness of substance use and mental disorders, celebrates individuals in long-term recovery, and acknowledges the work of treatment and recovery services providers.
Recovery Month spreads the message that behavioral health is an essential part of one’s health and overall wellness, and that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from substance use and mental disorders. The month highlights the importance of communities nationwide to promote prevention, treatment and recovery services, not only in September, but throughout the year.
In spite of all the positive information relating to the benefits of treatment, there still exists a considerable amount of stigma and discrimination directed at individuals with substance use and mental disorders. Stigma and discrimination continue to present a barrier for people who want to access and obtain treatment. Stigma related to admitting a substance use or mental disorder and being identified after this admission and during the treatment and recovery processes often present difficulties for the individual within their community, sometimes within their own family. Work is ongoing every day to minimize or eliminate such stigma and to encourage those in need of treatment to take the first steps toward reaching out and beginning the recovery process.
CMHC is working hard to facilitate a focus on wellness in the agency and in the local community. CMHC’s mission statement, “Partnering for Wellness: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy Life,” is indicative of this.
“We are reaching out to develop collaboration with primary health care and other providers to develop better integrated care in our community,” CMHC Executive Director Tom Talbot. “Wellness is a key element in this effort, and it plays an essential part in the recovery process.”
Every year, Community Mental Health Center, Inc. provides services to thousands of residents in the Southeastern Indiana counties of Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland. CMHC offers programs for individuals who want to begin the recovery process. Treatment is available for individuals of all ages. To inquire about services at Community Mental Health Center, Inc., please contact CMHC’s South Region Outpatient Services Dearborn County office in Lawrenceburg at (812) 537-7375, or CMHC’s North Region Outpatient Services George Street office in Batesville at (812) 934-4210. Find information about other CMHC locations here on our website.
All CMHC services are provided without regard to race, religion, disability, gender, color, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sexual orientation, political belief, status as a veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
