National Recovery Month: “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

Treatment and a collaborative healthcare approach is key to recovery and, for National Recovery Month, Whittier Street Health Center recognizes that recovery is not only possible for everyone, but it is also a team effort from the family, healthcare team, and community.

This outlook takes shape in this year’s tagline, as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.” Treatment and recovery services are essential for individuals, families, and communities to grow and heal.

“Our Behavioral Health Department supports and recognizes the importance of the nation dedicating September 2023 as National Recovery Month,” said Carolyn Reynolds, Whittier’s Co-Associate Director, Behavioral Health Service, Adult and Substance Abuse Services.

Whittier’s Behavioral Health department consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers, and licensed mental health counselors who are dedicated to providing and advocating for proper, necessary mental health and wellness care for our patients.

We also have Substance Abuse Services clinicians that specialize in addiction treatment and dual diagnosis individuals (those who are suffering from a mental disorder and substance abuse). This dual diagnosis approach and treatment has life-saving potential and provides a well-rounded coverage of care as approximately 9.2 million adults in the U.S. have co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, according to SAMHSA’s 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals are predominately from racial and ethnic minority groups. In fact, the most dramatic increase in specifically opioid related overdoses, was among racial groups (Black residents, 42%), while Native Americans had the state’s highest overall per-capita rate of overdose deaths, WBUR reports.

“With the increase of opioid deaths, Whittier Street Health Center recognizes the need to provide, support and encourage individuals, family members and the community at large to participate in the array of therapeutic services that we offer,” Reynolds said.  

Whittier has been hyper aware of the steadily increase opioid overdose deaths and the impending need for prevention and recovery across not only opioid users, but all who deal with substance misuse issues.

In 2017, as a means to end the opioid abuse epidemic, Whittier launched “It Takes A Village” Campaign which was a progressive program aiming to end opioid abuse from a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to manage, and hopefully end, chronic pain for patients. We are deeply committed to addressing the unfortunate increase in opioid related deaths and is putting forth our best, strongest efforts to lower the rates.

“The name, “It Takes A Village” reinforces the point that individuals need help and support from their healthcare providers, families, and friends to heal and overcome substance use disorders,” she said. “Together with the support of “Our Village,” treatment and recovery make it possible for individuals, families, and communities to heal and become productive members of the community in which they live.”

Whittier Street Health Center’s Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse teams provide various services and programs to help you achieve a healthier, more fulfilled life. Some of these services include: individual or group therapy, psychiatric assessment, medication management, relapse prevention groups, arts therapy, and more. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 617-989-3009 or 617-989-3224.