(Courtesy of Health Promotion and Wellness)
As we near the end of September, it doesn’t mean we should stop talking about mental health or recovery awareness. It means we should continue to bring these conversations about mental health and recovery everywhere we go. Breaking the stigma around mental health and recovery means talking about it, sharing information with others and actively supporting those that are in recovery from substance use, eating concerns and mental health issues.
To be an ally means “to be someone who is willing to act with and for others in pursuit of ending oppression and creating equality.” This can look like many things, but for starters it can mean becoming more educated about mental health, stigma and resources while also being an active bystander to share this information and support others.
Being an ally means you:
1. Understand it’s not only about the person, but also it’s about our environment, resources and access that can help or hurt us.
2. Know it requires our own understanding and awareness with these topics while becoming educated about the science of addiction, stigma and recovery.
3. Have learned the skills needed to communicate and support others through various methods to actively advocate and support for more effective treatment and recovery support.
4. Understand recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Substance use, mental illness and eating concerns are not a choice and should be treated like any other disease or illness, with compassion and support. You don't need to have personal experience with any of these topics to be a recovery ally, but it does require some extra education, empathy and continued support. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about how to become a recovery ally, visit HPW's DeHUB page to find more information. Recovery ally workshops are open to all DePaul community members.
Join us tonight for Wellness Wednesday as we will be highlighting how you can be a recovery ally. Wellness Wednesday is featured at 6 p.m. on Facebook @healthydepaul.
Additionally, join us for our annual "SEX IN THE DARK" event tonight. Join us for a Q&A panel where “sexperts" answer your anonymous questions about sexual health and relationships. We have an incredible line up of experts this year, including Emily Lloyd from the One Love Foundation, Searah Deysach the owner of Early to Bed, Rachel Mintz from Resilience, Carina Vargas-Nunez and Fredy Roberts from Howard Brown, and Salam Salaheen from Lurie's Children's. Our experts are specialists in their field and are excited to answer your questions around sex, pleasure, safe sex, relationships, communication, trauma informed sex and relationships.