Health and Well-Being Matter is the monthly blog of the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. This month RDML Reed welcomes Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Recovery, and his insights on health and well-being in the context of recovery.
Recovery from mental health and/or substance use conditions is not a moment in time. Though there is often a clear start to the healing process, the recovery journey only begins there. Recovery is a lifelong commitment to maturing personal resilience and well-being, to maintaining the awareness that we are but human with human vulnerabilities, and to striving for and learning how to achieve personal growth.
Recovery, in this sense, is closely related to pursuing health and well-being, and endeavoring to thrive in everyday life. Which is why this month, I’m pleased to share this space with Paolo del Vecchio, Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Office of Recovery. Director del Vecchio’s perspectives — professional and personal — are a profound reminder to us all that regardless of the challenges to our health or well-being, we need to address them in the context of our whole person — that what ails us physically, mentally, or emotionally ultimately affects us entirely.
Thank you to SAMHSA for its continued partnership with ODPHP in working toward greater health and well-being for all people. And thank you, Paolo, for sharing your story and for everything that you do in support of those affected by substance misuse.
Yours in health,
Paul
Paul Reed, MD
Rear Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Director, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
In Officio Salutis
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Celebrating National Recovery Month
By: Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, Director, SAMHSA Office of Recovery
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), over 60 million people living in the United States identify as being in recovery from mental health and/or substance use conditions. September marks the 35th annual celebration of National Recovery Month — a time to celebrate people in recovery and recognize the power of recovery to transform and save lives.
I am one of those Americans, as I have experienced mental health and substance use problems for most of my life. As a young person, I was lost in my addictions, trauma, depression, and anxiety. I was without health care, without a home of my own, without a job, without a sense of purpose, without friends, and without hope for the future.
Almost 40 years later, I now live a life in recovery — free from substances and free from emotional despair. Because of my recovery, I have been able to succeed in my federal career for the past 29 years. Because of my recovery, I have access to physical and behavioral health care. Because of my recovery, I own my home. Because of my recovery, I have a caring and supportive community of family and friends. And because of my recovery, my life has meaning — and I wake each morning to the joy of what the day will bring.
Mental health conditions and addictions impact us all. Each year, about 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health or addiction problem. For some, these conditions can be fatal — with overdoses claiming over 100,000 lives each year and suicide being the second leading cause of death among our nation’s youth. These tragedies demand our attention, but what too often gets overlooked is that the vast majority of people can and do recover from these conditions to live full, happy, and productive lives. Data from SAMHSA show that over 70 percent of people who have had these conditions identify as being in recovery.
At SAMHSA, we define recovery as a process where a person with a mental health or substance use condition acts to improve their health (including behavioral health), increase their independence, and pursue their full potential. A major barrier to recovery is what has been called the stigma associated with these conditions. Negative public attitudes, prejudice, and discrimination results in people not seeking help and continuing to keep these issues hidden and unaddressed.
We all can play a role in overcoming stigma by raising public awareness and knowledge that recovery is real and that people can and do find hope and healing. At SAMHSA, we have resources that can help:
- Recovery Month Toolkit: This resource includes social media content to help spread awareness about the process of recovery and to share the hopeful message that most people who get help do recover. The toolkit also includes resources for learning about and supporting those in recovery, and promotional materials about recovery in September and beyond.
- Gallery of Hope: The digital “Gallery of Hope: Artistic Expressions of Recovery Across the Nation” features over 280 selected artworks and is open for viewing until September 30. The Gallery aims to raise public awareness and understanding of the many contributions that people in recovery bring to our lives — by offering a platform for creative expression as a means of connection, healing, and empowerment. By showcasing art as a tool for growth and self-discovery, the project seeks to break down societal stigmas and foster greater understanding and support.
- Recovery Month Training Events: Throughout September, we’ve sponsored a series of training events on recovery on topics like wellness, peer support, and trauma.
We’ve also hosted 2 additional major events to celebrate National Recovery Month:
- National Walk for Recovery: Held in Washington, DC on September 5, this event brought together over 200 people in recovery, family members, providers, and other allies to put a spotlight on recovery.
- STAR Awards: On September 24, the first SAMHSA Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery (STAR) Awards ceremony was held in Washington, DC to recognize recovery champions from across the nation.
Please join us in celebrating National Recovery Month — so that more people will find hope and healing and a healthier, happier life!
