September began with Mayor Benson Wong and the city recognizing and celebrating the month as National Recovery Month as part of the agenda at the Sept. 1 city council meeting.

National Recovery Month is celebrated in the United States each September to promote access to recovery, celebrate those participating in services, and educate communities about overcoming the barriers of stigma and discrimination.

The city’s Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS) provides community-wide substance-abuse prevention and mental-health promotion services via the Healthy Youth Initiative.

Derek Franklin, YFS clinical supervisor encourages residents to connect during these unprecedented times: “I hope Recovery Month serves as a reminder that an important part of getting through the COVID-19 pandemic is to focus on personal connections, grow resiliency, set aside any stigma around seeking help, and get support for mental health or substance use issues — we’re all in this together.”

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website notes: “Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery.”

The youth.gov site adds: “There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. These successes often go unnoticed by the broader population; therefore, Recovery Month provides a vehicle to celebrate these accomplishments.”

Mercer Island residents seeking services or information are encouraged to connect with YFS at (206) 275-7611 or www.mercerisland.gov/yfs or contact their child’s YFS school counselor directly.