HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug 31, CMC – The Bermuda government says it will use National Recovery Month in September to educate Bermudians about substance use treatment and mental health services, which can enable them to live a healthy and rewarding life.
The Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) in collaboration with the Ministry for National Security and treatment agencies across the island, said that the 37th annual Recovery Month observance will be spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) in the United States.
“The DNDC will use the month to educate Bermuda about substance use treatment and mental health services, which can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life,” it said, adding that “the observance reinforces the positive message that behavioural health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover”
According to the government there are hundreds of Bermudians whose lives have been positively transformed through recovery and that since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month 2026 will provide a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments.
“Each September, millions of prevention, treatment, and recovery programmes and facilities around the world celebrate National Recovery Month. They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbours, friends, and colleagues,” according to a spokesperson for the DNDC, adding “in doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and fosters a greater understanding of the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.”
The authorities here said that a range of activities will take place throughout September to mark Recovery Month and encourage public awareness and support for those in treatment and recovery.
They said Recovery Month will conclude on 30 September with the Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance and that it “will honour recovery pioneers who are no longer with us, remember those who have lost their lives to addiction and reinforce the message that recovery is possible”.
CMC/aj/ir/2026