Recent Events
Celebrating Recovery Month
Now in its 23rd year, the SAMHSA-sponsored National Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: It’s Worth It,” emphasizes that the benefits recovery brings to individuals, families, and communities far outweigh any difficulties on the road to recovery.
Recovery Month’s 150 planning partners, along with states, cities, and national and local organizations, hosted hundreds of events.
Available on Recovery Month’s Facebook page, 
, a new Pledge4Recovery campaign allows people to pledge to make a difference all year long. Learn more about Recovery Month.
National Wellness Week
Cities from coast to coast joined together with SAMHSA to celebrate the second annual National Wellness Week, September 17–23. As a part of National Recovery Month, National Wellness Week promotes the many ways wellness activities can improve quality of life for people with mental and substance use disorders.
In collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Women’s Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Million Hearts™, SAMHSA’s National Wellness Week aims to inspire individuals to improve their wellness through modifying at least one physical health behavior, while exploring their talents, skills, interests, social connections, and environment to incorporate other dimensions of wellness. Read more about National Wellness Week 2012.
Voice Awards
Metta World Peace of the Los Angeles Lakers and producer Shonda Rhimes were among those recognized at SAMHSA’s Seventh Annual Voice Awards.
Mr. World Peace received a SAMHSA Special Recognition Award for his work supporting mental health issues and treatment services for children.
Ms. Rhimes was recognized with a Career Achievement Award for her ongoing efforts to educate television audiences about the real experiences of people with behavioral health problems and those affected by trauma.
The Voice Awards are a collaborative effort of SAMHSA, members of the entertainment industry, and the behavioral health community. This year the awards had a special focus on the behavioral health challenges of athletes, their resilience, and their paths to recovery. Click here for a full list of award recipients.