[NYAPRS Enews] SAMHSA to Launch New "Office of Recovery, Peers are Critical at Every Level

[Harvey Rosenthal]

NYAPRS Note: Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Dr. Miriam Delphin-Rittmon announced last week SAMHSA's plans to create a new Office of Recovery that will promote the involvement of people with lived experience throughout agency and stakeholder activities, foster relationships with internal and external organizations in the mental health and addiction recovery fields and identify health disparities in high-risk and vulnerable populations to ensure equity for support services across the Nation." NYAPRS is very encouraged by this development as it reflects some of the input that we and our colleague groups offered prior to Dr. Delphon-Rittmon's appointment.
Note the presentation she gave at the kick off at our September 21 kickoff of NYAPRS virtual Annual Conference that provides a backdrop for SAMHSA's broader agenda.

SAMHSA to Launch New "Office of Recovery" to Expand Its Commitment to Recovery for All Americans
September 30, 2021

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is launching an Office of Recovery, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to advance the agency's commitment to, and support of, recovery for all Americans. September marks National Recovery Month, and in organizing this new office, SAMHSA will now have a dedicated team with a deep understanding of recovery to promote policies, programs and services to those in or seeking recovery.

"We have identified recovery as a crosscutting principle throughout SAMHSA's policies and programs," said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. "In standing up this new office, SAMHSA is committed to growing and expanding recovery support services nationwide."

Recovery is enhanced by peer-delivered services. These peer support services have proven to be effective as the support, outreach and engagement with new networks help sustain recovery over the long term.

Peer services are critical, given the significant workforce shortages in behavioral health. SAMHSA's new Office of Recovery will promote the involvement of people with lived experience throughout agency and stakeholder activities, foster relationships with internal and external organizations in the mental health and addiction recovery fields and identify health disparities in high-risk and vulnerable populations to ensure equity for support services across the Nation.

"SAMHSA believes in recovery and recognizes the importance of including families, loved ones and allies," said Assistant Secretary Delphin-Rittmon. "If people are struggling, they don't need to struggle alone - services and supports are available across the country, which can help people find long-term recovery."

SAMHSA has a long history of advancing Recovery Support<https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery> dating back to the 1980s with the Community Support Program and the 1990s, when the first Recovery Community Support Programs were funded. SAMHSA defines recovery as a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential.

People searching for treatment for mental or substance use disorders can find treatment by visiting https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov<https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/> or by calling SAMHSA's National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/202109300228

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