Recovery Month 2021

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2021

Peace River Center Hosts National Recovery Month Activities, Shares Resources During Suicide Awareness Month

Lakeland, FL – Peace River Center (PRC), a nonprofit behavioral health organization serving Polk, Hardee, and Highlands Counties is hosting a variety of activities to help educate and engage the community in the important topic of mental health and mental illness during National Recovery Month. PRC’s Recovery Services are available to individuals who have a severe and persistent mental illness and include a variety of recovery programs that help individuals learn more about their mental illness, which is a treatable medical condition. These programs teach psychoeducation, coping tools, life skills, employment skills, and more.

Throughout the month, walkers, joggers, runners, and mental health advocates are encouraged to log 26.2 miles and increase awareness surrounding mental illness using their social media channels. Hosted by Dixie Southern Industrial, Inc. The Recovery is a Marathon, Not a Sprint Virtual Run in Partnership with CPS Investment Advisors benefits Peace River Center’s Club Success program. With locations in Lakeland and Haines City, Club Success is a place of belonging for persons living with mental illness. Attendees, called members, can build self-confidence and self-esteem while reintegrating into their community, becoming more independent and productive, and learning to live happy healthy lives. Those interested in participating can sign-up at www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/RecoveryRun.

PRC is also offering two free webinars in September aimed at education and eliminating mental illness stigma. To help the community better understand Florida’s mental health act, The Baker Act, Kirk Fasshauer, LCSW, FT, PRC’s Director of Crisis Services will discuss the misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding it on September 14 at noon. He will share what the Act is and is not, how it works, and how it helps families and individuals. Fasshauer will also discuss the role PRC and law enforcement have in the local Baker Act process.

Even though one in five individuals in the U.S. is impacted by mental illness every year, many wait as long as 10 years to seek help for these treatable medical conditions. Many times that is due to stigma. PRC’s Make It OK campaign examines mental illness and the stigma attached to it and shares ways people in our community can make a difference. Webinar attendees will leave with key messages and tools to help talk about and share with others. To register for either of PRC’s free Zoom webinars, visit www.PeaceRiverCenter.org/calendar.

September is also Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. The organization encourages everyone to be aware of community resources like PRC’s 24-hour emotional support and crisis line. That is a free service available by calling 863.519.3744<. Additionally, PRC will share messaging on its social channels and drive traffic to its Suicide Prevention and Awareness page, www.peacerivercenter.org/resources/suicideawareness. PRC’s goal is to ensure individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention and to seek help.