National Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month: Recovery, Prevention and Support

September marks both National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month, observances that remind us of the overwhelming toll that mental health and substance abuse issues take on individuals, families, and communities, especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who face higher rates of substance abuse and treatment disparities.

At Whittier Street Health Center September is also a month of hope and education as we shine a light on recovery as possible and suicide prevention as a shared responsibility.

In 2017, Whittier launched the “It Takes a Village” campaign, an initiative that addresses the opioid overdose crisis and co-morbid mental health challenges. Now in its 9th year, our campaign reinforces evidence-based, effective strategies for patients with substance abuse and mental health conditions including access to non-opioid pain management such as Naloxone (Narcan) and other medications for opioid use disorder.

While National Recovery Month and “It Takes a Village” focuses on prevention and treatment, in September we also celebrate the journey of those who have or are in the process of overcoming substance abuse disorders.

This commitment to supporting recovery also requires acknowledging the broader mental health landscape, where suicide remains a devastating and urgent public health concern.

According to the most recent CDC data, in 2024 suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths in the United States and while no final national count for 2025 has yet been released, lives lost to suicide last year remain in the high forty thousands.

The sad reality is that systemic barriers – including lack of access to health care, social stigma, and inadequate funding of suicide prevention and recovery services – leave far too many suffering in silence and far too few receiving the support they need and deserve.

Whittier Street Health Center is committed to help break the silence of suffering with our annual “It Takes a Village” event – this year on September 16 from 12 noon -1:30 PM at the Frederica M. Williams Building, 1290 Tremont Street, Roxbury center when community members, patients, and guest speakers will discuss strategies to combat the opioid/overdose crisis and share personal stories of hope and recovery.

For those who are personally struggling with or know of someone overcome by mental health and/or substance abuse, help is available. Whittier’s Behavioral Health Department offers:

· Culturally responsive therapy and group counseling

· Medication management for substance use disorders

· Support groups like Moms Do Care for pregnant and parenting women with opioid or stimulant use

For more information, please call (617) 858-2429.

Together, we reaffirm that recovery is possible, prevention is essential, and every member of

our community deserves compassion, connection, and access to lifesaving care.