September 1, 2020
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario (AMHO) is excited to celebrate recovery throughout the month of September. Together, we can work to stop the stigma surrounding addiction and create a recovery system that works.
This Recovery Month, it has become even more important to stop the stigma around addiction. The impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Ontarians is high with 42% of Ontario’s adults having increased their substance or gambling use since the start of the pandemic. The stigma around addiction can prevent people from seeking the services and support they need. No matter where they are on their recovery journey, people should not be afraid to find help and share their story with others.
“Recovery Month brings an opportunity as a province to share stories and talk about treatment options across the spectrum of harm reduction and addiction services. We need to support each individual’s goal whether it be reducing the amount of drugs they are using, or eliminating them altogether,” says AMHO’s CEO, Adrienne Spafford.
It is also crucial to apply an equity lens when discussing addiction and recovery opportunities, and the lack of culturally appropriate services available. According to Health Quality Ontario, people in marginalized groups are more likely to suffer from discrimination, violence, social exclusion and poverty, which can significantly impact their mental health.
Every year in Ontario, waitlists for addiction services grow longer and overdoses continue to increase. We are looking forward to working with government, people with lived experience and their loved ones and caregivers to combat stigma and design a system that works.
Join Addictions and Mental Health Ontario and our members as we celebrate recovery by participating in a virtual event near you: https://amho.ca/events/
Participate in the #RecoveryMonth conversation online by tagging @AMHOnt and using the hashtags #CelebrateRecovery and #TogetherWeCan.
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