HCN News & Notes

MHA Hosts Recovery Breakfast & Workshop

SPRINGFIELD ­— The Mental Health Assoc. (MHA) honored Recovery Month by hosting a Recovery Breakfast & Workshop on Sept. 29 at its Worthington Street location.

More than 150 program staff and participants began their day with a home-cooked breakfast before participating in the Roads to Recovery workshop, which offered programs such as “Recovery Is Real,” “Managing Grief While Assisting Others in Their Process of Recovery,” “How to Continue,” “Levels of Care,” and a panel discussion co-facilitated by people currently in recovery.

“The Roads to Recovery workshop was not only a great opportunity for staff to acquire additional knowledge and information in regards to recovery, as well as uniting and sharing as a community, but also a great way to celebrate the accomplishments of those who are currently in their own individual process of recovery and to learn from their personal experiences,” said René Piñero, vice president, Behavioral Health & Clinical Operations.

Mental-health and substance-use challenges can impact individuals, families, and communities everywhere. According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 8.5 million adults have had both any mental illness and at least one substance-use disorder, and 3.1 million adults had a co-occurring mental illness and substance-use disorder in the past year.

MHA’s Recovery Breakfast & Workshop shined a light on the resiliency of the recovery community. “It was such a pleasure to carve out time during our hectic works days to celebrate and honor recovery and all the paths that lead to it,” said Christine Palmieri, vice president, Recovery and Housing.

“As providers, family members, colleagues, and loved ones supporting people in their own recovery journey, it can be easy to fall prey to the images of hopelessness and despair that so often accompany substance-use and mental-health challenges,” she added. “Events like our Recovery Breakfast & Workshop help to remind us that recovery isn’t only possible, it is likely. Recovery happens all around us in small and big ways every single day. With connection, grit, and hope, recovery is achievable for everyone. The inspiring, personal recovery stories of our colleagues and the people we support were a powerful motivator to keep coming back and working to create environments that support recovery in all its forms.”