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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing September 2025 as National Recovery Month in Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing September 2025 as National Recovery Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
National Recovery Month highlights that millions of Americans are building a life in recovery. Substance use disorders affect all communities nationwide but with commitment and support people can achieve healthy lifestyles and lead rewarding lives in recovery. Many people also have co-occurring mental illnesses and complex medical needs requiring individualized approaches for recovery. In Solano County, data shows that the misuse of substances and overdoses have been steadily increasing, requiring a community effort to bring awareness to prevention and treatment. Now in its 36th year, National Recovery Month is promoted through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The focus of National Recovery Month each September is to celebrate the recovery journey by spreading the message that behavioral health is essential to one’s overall health and wellness, and that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people do recover. This year’s theme is “Recovery is REAL” (Restoring Every Aspect of Life).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget. The costs associated with the preparation and purchase of resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
National Recovery Month is an annual September observance established in 1989 by SAMHSA to promote evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery practices, support to the recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. The observance seeks to reduce stigma, increase public awareness surrounding mental health and substance use disorder recovery, and promote a strong recovery community by emphasizing that every person, family and community can achieve recovery.
National Recovery Month highlights that substance use disorders (SUD) are a major public health concern affecting people of every age, race, socioeconomic, and ethnic background. According to SAMHSA’s 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2024, one-third or 86.6 million adults in the U.S. had either an acute mental illness or substance use disorder in the past year. Relatives, friends, and communities of people with mental health and substance use disorders are encouraged to implement preventive measures, recognize the signs of a substance use or mental health disorder, and guide those in need toward appropriate treatment and recovery support services. Recovery from substance use and mental health disorders is possible.
In 2024, Solano County Behavioral Health served 8,130 unique individuals in county-operated clinics and contracted provider settings in their journey to recovery. Of these individuals, 6,586 were in mental health programs and 1,544 were in substance use disorder (SUD) programs.
Data from the Solano County Coroner’s Office indicates that Solano County residents are facing substance use disorders and mental health conditions. In 2024, there were 122 overdose deaths in Solano County, up from 115 in 2023.
Solano County Behavioral Health and its partners are committed to improving best practices in treatment, addressing disparities and inequity, expanding early prevention tools to improve access to services, and promoting wellness and recovery. All these efforts support the community to reduce substance misuse and prevent overdoses.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt and present this resolution. This is not recommended because this is an opportunity to positively impact Solano County through increased awareness of a public health concern and treatment options.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Health and Social Services, Behavioral Health Division, is working with the Behavioral Health Advisory Board, Public Health Division, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Solano, Drug Safe Solano, and other community partners to promote National Recovery Month.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION