WHEREAS, substance use disorders and mental health challenges affect individuals and families in every community across the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation, impacting people from all backgrounds and walks of life; and

WHEREAS, overdose occurs when an individual, knowingly or unknowingly, takes more than the recommended or safe amount of a controlled substance, and substance use disorders can lead to devastating physical, emotional, and societal consequences; and

WHEREAS, Right Help, Right Now, this administration’s mental and behavioral health care initiative, provides support for those who live with substance use disorders through increased resources as one of the transformation’s six main pillars; and

WHEREAS, overdose deaths in Virginia declined 33.5 percent in 2024, with emergency department visits decreasing by 6.2 percent as of May 2025, signaling progress in statewide prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts; and

WHEREAS, access to evidence-based treatment, ongoing support, and comprehensive care empowers individuals affected by substance abuse or mental health disorders to embark on deeply personal and transformative recovery journeys, fostering resilience, personal growth, and lasting wellness through community support and sustained commitment; and

WHEREAS, Peer Recovery Specialists, individuals with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges, play a vital role in Virginia’s behavioral health system by offering hope, encouragement, and mentorship to others on their recovery journey; and

WHEREAS, peer-to-peer support has been shown to increase success in recovery, reduce drug-related harm, and foster social support networks that are critical to sustained recovery; and

WHEREAS, peer recovery support services are now recognized as an essential component of the continuum of care, helping to expand access to recovery resources, promote harm reduction strategies, and contribute to Virginia’s overall 36.6 percent decrease in overdose fatalities; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has certified more than 1,400 Peer Recovery Specialists, with over 600 added since Right Help, Right Now began in November 2022; and 

WHEREAS, Family Support Partners are parents or caregivers who have successfully navigated the behavioral health system on behalf of a loved one and now support other families facing similar challenges; and

WHEREAS, Peer Recovery Specialists and Family Support Partners work across a wide range of service settings, including behavioral health agencies, recovery community organizations, crisis response centers, treatment programs, psychiatric facilities, correctional institutions, law enforcement operations, emergency departments, recovery residences, and managed care systems; and

WHEREAS, Recovery Month recognizes and honors the many pathways to recovery and the courage of individuals, families, and communities working toward healing, while also raising awareness of effective services, evidence-based practices, and recovery-oriented systems of care; and

WHEREAS, citizens across the Commonwealth are encouraged to participate in programs, activities, and events that promote recovery awareness, celebrate recovery success stories, and strengthen support for individuals and families affected by behavioral health challenges;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2025, as RECOVERY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.