People with mental
illness, substance use disorder can recover with right help
September is National Recovery Month and Governor Mark
Dayton has proclaimed September 2018 Recovery Month in Minnesota, highlighting the
fact that that people can and do recover from substance use disorders and
mental illness.
People were admitted to chemical dependency treatment programs
in Minnesota more than 57,000 times in 2017. Most people who enter chemical
dependency treatment usually complete it and show considerable improvement, and
abstinence from substance use and other benefits of treatment tend to continue
over the long term. Yet each year more than 9 out of 10 adults with a substance
use disorder do not receive treatment.
To address this gap, the state has launched a multi-year
reform effort that aims to cut the time between asking for treatment and
getting it, as well as adding a variety of key improvements to the system. In
addition, to help combat our state’s ongoing opioid epidemic, DHS has won
federal grants to fund a range of prevention, treatment and recovery efforts,
including peer recovery programs, the Parent Child Assistance Program, and community
health worker training to support high risk pregnant and newly-parenting women.
“It is important that people experiencing substance use
disorders and mental illness receive the support they need from their friends,
families and their community,” Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Emily
Piper said. “And at the same time, it is critical that we as a state make smart
investments in effective community services.”
Now in its 28th year, the 2018 National Recovery Month theme
is, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health, Home, Purpose, and
Community.” The theme explores how investing in community-based services, along
with support from families and communities, can contribute to recovery for
persons with mental and substance use disorders.
Nationally, one in five adults has some type of mental
illness, but many aren’t getting the care they need. Minnesota has invested in
several new services designed to fit each individual’s needs, such as Certified
Community Behavioral Health Clinics that serve as one-stop shops for mental
health and substance use disorder treatment, and First Episode of Psychosis
programs, designed to identify early and help people who are developing signs
of psychosis.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 children and youth in
Minnesota need treatment for serious emotional disturbances. Minnesota is
offering new and innovative services on the county level and investing in
children’s mental health services. For example, this year the state’s first children's
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility for children with higher needs
opened in Duluth, and the first Intensive Mental Health Treatment in Foster
Care program launched, offering mental health services for children in out-of-home
placements.
However, services remain unevenly distributed and are
lacking in many areas of Minnesota.
“We need a full range of services across the state so that
people can get the care when they need it. Too many people are on waiting lists,
traveling long distances, or, worst of all, going without care,” Piper said. “We
still have a lot of work to do.”
Recovery Month includes a variety of ceremonies,
activities and celebrations across the state. For information on events in your
community, visit https://minnesotarecovery.org.
Governor Dayton’s proclamation of September as Recovery
Month can be found on
the DHS website.
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