Eva’s Village holds 3rd annual Recovery Walk
By P.T.
Published: September 6, 2013
Eva’s Village, the Paterson based anti-poverty organization, has organized its 3rd annual Recovery Walk to Celebrate National Recovery Month, thirty-days to build awareness in the country about substance abuse and mental health — the walk is set to take place on September 7th, 2013 on Hamilton Street.
“To showcase these issues’ impact on the local community, hundreds of Passaic County residents will join forces on September 7th to celebrate National Recovery Month with an organized walk starting at 9:00 am from 77 Hamilton Street and proceeding to East Side Park,” read a statement from the organization.
The walk which is also supported by Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse hopes to promote the idea that recovery is possible for those who are suffering through mental problems and substance abuse. “It celebrates people in recover, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible,” according to the organization.
Statistics from 2011 show more than 45.6m adults with mental illness, yet only 31.6m sought and received mental health services; similarly, more than 20.6m people were classed as being substance dependent between the age of 12 and over, yet only 3.8m received treatment. There are millions throughout the country, who are, for various reasons, not receiving mental health services or probably not seeking them or do not know where to seek them.
“Our hope is that with increased access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services, families, policymakers, businesses, and health care providers, will reach out to those in need to assist them in finding appropriate treatment options. Not being able to access the appropriate treatment services, or not knowing where to find these services, should no longer be a barrier to achieving recovery,” according to the organization.
“Combating substance use and mental disorders positively affects the workplace with reduced absenteeism and job turnover, improved productivity, and reduced health care costs,” writes Joanne Fagan, a spokesperson for the organization.
The walk starts at 9 a.m. in front of 77 Hamilton Street and ends at Eastside Park.