MiraVista Recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day

HOLYOKE — In advance of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), which is held on Aug. 31, MiraVista Behavioral Health Center will join communities across the globe on Friday, Aug. 29 in remembering lives lost, supporting those in recovery, and raising awareness about the impact of substance use disorders and the hope that treatment brings.

To mark the occasion, MiraVista will illuminate its building purple, the international color of overdose awareness, and raise the IOAD flag at 10 a.m. as a public symbol of remembrance and solidarity. Staff will wear purple throughout the day to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to reducing stigma and supporting individuals and families affected by overdose.

In addition, MiraVista will host a breakfast for participants in its Opioid Treatment and Intensive Outpatient programs, creating space for reflection, connection, and encouragement as part of their recovery journeys.

“Every day, we are reminded that overdose is preventable and that recovery is possible,” said Kimberley Lee, chief of Creative Strategy and Development at MiraVista. “International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to pause, remember, and recommit ourselves to breaking down barriers to treatment. At MiraVista, we provide same-day, walk-in access to our Opioid Treatment Program and offer free transportation within a 25-mile radius because timely access to care can mean the difference between despair and hope. Today, and every day, we stand with those on the path to recovery.”

International Overdose Awareness Day is observed annually on Aug. 31 to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died from a drug overdose. MiraVista’s observance on Aug. 29 reflects its mission of providing compassionate, accessible, and life-saving care to individuals seeking help for mental health and substance use conditions.