September is National Recovery Month, but many advocates point out we can certainly recognize recovery year-round, including Keegan Wicks. He is the National Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Faces & Voices of Recovery. He works to ensure that the recovery spectrum of services is available and funded for anyone who needs them.
In this podcast, Keegan talks about:
- Why it’s okay to say “Happy” Recovery Month
- How Recovery Month started and has changed throughout the years
- His personal journey with mental health and substance use disorders
- How his family network helped him navigate the often-complicated recovery system
- Why the systems and access to recovery should never be a result of good luck and privilege
- The inner voice that led him to get involved and affect change
- Being the voice at the table with lived experience in recovery
- Faces & Voices of Recovery’s focus and core messages of accessibility and inclusiveness
- Helping organizations be “recovery ready”
- How Congress is helping with prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts
- Why it’s an exciting time to highlight and show what recovery can look like
- How to get involved in Recovery Month initiatives, and why to stay involved
Additional resources:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- Office of Recovery
- SMART Family & Friends
- Motivational Interviewing
- Parent CRAFT
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Peer Recovery Support Specialist
- Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil
- Substance Use Prevention Treatment Block Grant
- Congressman David Trone of Maryland
- Secretary Deb Haaland
- Secretary Martin Walsh
Click here to find all of SMART Recovery’s podcasts
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