Recovery Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Recovery Month

WHEREAS, mental health and substance use disorders affect every community nationwide, and in Virginia, nearly 1.8 million residents have mental health conditions and 1.2 million are affected by substance use disorders; and,

WHEREAS, in 2021, over 21,500 emergency room visits were made by Virginians suffering from mental and substance use disorder overdoses, and over 2,576 people lost their lives due to drug overdose; and,

WHEREAS, overdose is a devastating effect that can result from substance use disorders, but recovery can be a remarkable outcome; and,

WHEREAS, treatment for these conditions helps individuals achieve happy and healthy lifestyles, both physically and emotionally; and,

WHEREAS, with commitment and support, those impacted by mental health or substance use disorders can embark on a journey of resilience, improved health, and overall wellness; and,

WHEREAS, Recovery Month is observed each September to celebrate all people that make the journey of recovery possible by embracing the tagline, “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community” to spread the message that people can and do recover every day; and,

WHEREAS, the goal of Recovery Month is to improve the lives of those affected by mental health and substance use disorders by raising awareness and educating communities about the effective services that are available; and,

WHEREAS, citizens are encouraged to be aware of and able to recognize the signs of mental health and substance use disorders, and people in need of recovery services are encouraged to seek help;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 2022 as RECOVERY MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations