"The platform that you choose to share matters less than how you feel while doing it. Finding your own voice and level of comfort is the ideal stage to share the beautiful story of your journey during National Recovery Month.” —Emily Guarnotta, who holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego and has a passion for working with clients struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues Read more in "Speaking Out to Heal Within." Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration sponsors National Recovery Month to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover. The 2016 theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!” highlights the value of peer support by educating, mentoring and helping others. It invites individuals in recovery and their support systems to be change agents in communities, and in civic and advocacy engagements. Promote Recovery Month by organizing an event, writing an op-ed or online article, or soliciting and gathering proclamations from state, territory, city or county entities in support of Recovery Month. To find a Recovery Month event in your area and learn more about local activities to support recovery efforts, visitrecoverymonth.gov. RENEW EVERY DAY This Is Your Brain On Drugs — Any Questions? The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids launches the “Fried Egg 2016” campaign re-imagined for today's parents. Happy Birthday, Real Me “Happy birthday, real you” gets you into the mindset of the values and promises you continue to make to yourself and others every year of this amazing journey we call life. How Do I Balance All That I Want? This Labor Day week, it’s fair to consider how we can love our work without sacrificing the rest of our life. Most of us are working and caring for family members and studying something and seeking some kind of spiritual life and having a good recovery life and trying to be an asset to the greater community as well. The tension arises when we try to balance it by holding those parts separate from each other. Renew provides relevant and engaging information and resources to help individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and their loved ones create and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Share Tweet Forward