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Naples, FL – The David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, is joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other voices of recovery from across the nation to observe the 26th Annual National Recovery Month. This event, held every September, increases awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders, and promotes the message that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover.

This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Visible, Vocal, Valuable” highlights the value of peer support by educating, mentoring and helping others. It invites individuals in recovery and their support system to be change agents in communities and in civic and advocacy engagements.

David Lawrence Centers will honor the observance by celebrating individuals and organizations in our community for their outstanding contributions to support those in recovery at the Annual Recovery Month Awards Ceremony. The event will be held on Thursday, September 24th, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. at the New Hope Community Center located at 7676 Davis Boulevard in Naples.

This year we are honoring the following individuals and organizations for sharing their voices to foster public understanding and acceptance of behavioral health conditions:

Collier County Public Schools is being honored as a prevention and intervention partner. Through our collaborative partnership, CCPS has partnered with DLC on the development of new strategies and initiatives that assist with prevention, early intervention, treatment and improved care coordination for children with mental health concerns. Several successful outcomes include the placement of a new DLC School Liaison, specialized training for school guidance counselors, on timely topics identified by the school and participation in the Youth Mental Health First Aid program.

Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is being honored for being a treatment, education and outreach partner. Since its opening, Hazelden has become a true community partner in serving those affected by addiction. Hazelden has sought relationships with many local partners including treatment providers, advocacy groups, colleges, churches and health providers. In addition, Hazelden provides a variety of local and national speakers at community events often times providing free continued education units to professionals on addiction and mental health issues.

Reverend Tommy Sloan is being honored for his service as a recovery community volunteer. Professionally, he is the Chaplain of Ministries at St. Matthew’s House where he ministers to residents of St. Matthew’s programs and visits inmates in local jails. He extends that work on her personal time having served as a founding member of David Lawrence Center’s new Spiritual Support Services Team. In that capacity, he led the implementation of a voluntary weekly worship service for inpatient and residential clients in the Crossroads Residential and Detox program which he continues to lead every Sunday.

Collier County Sheriff’s Office Human Trafficking Unit is being honored as an outreach and referral partner. This year, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office rallied together local service providers and citizens to form the Collier County Coalition against Human Trafficking – the first in the Country. The goal of the coalition is to educate the public about the local human trafficking epidemic and eliminate forced servitude and commercial sexual exploitation in Southwest Florida. Through their efforts, they are helping victims of human trafficking access trauma services, mental health care and substance use treatment as well as putting their captors behind bars.

George Callahan is also being honored for his service as a recovery community volunteer. Since 1987, George has been committed to spreading the message of hope and recovery in and out of the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. For 28 years, he has shared his experience visiting prisons, rehabilitation centers, and detoxification units. George also works with young men in the Collier County Drug Court program and sponsors many men in recovery.

During the reception, there will be education and awareness community partner tables with representation from Green Monkey Yoga, Al-Anon, Drug Free Collier, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Naples Equestrian Challenge, PAWS, Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Collier County Emergency Medical Services, Hazelden, St. Matthew’s House, Catholic Charities, Alcoholics Anonymous. The evening also includes dinner, raffle prizes and entertainment provided by students from the Lely High School Drug Free Collier CORE Society.

The event is free to attend, however donations are appreciated and will be accepted at the event or in advance by calling 239-354-1434. To make a reservation, please email Jasand Ross at jasandr@dlcmhc.com.

David Lawrence Centers is the Southwest Florida-based, not-for-profit leading provider of behavioral health solutions dedicated to inspiring and creating life-changing wellness for every individual. The Center provides innovative, comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, residential and community based prevention and treatment services for the one in four local children and adults who experience mental health, emotional, psychological and substance use challenges. David Lawrence Centers has eight locations in Collier County and touches the lives of more than 50,000 people each year. For more information about David Lawrence Centers call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.