Delaware County proclaims September 2025 National Recovery Month

The Delaware County Board of Commissioners on Friday unanimously approved Resolution 25-705, declaring September 2025 as National Recovery Month in the county. The proclamation recognizes behavioral health as an essential part of overall wellness and encourages residents to seek treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. Commissioners Barb Lewis, Gary Merrill and Jeff Benton voted in favor. Steve Brown, communications director for the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, told the board the month “celebrates those who are living in mental health and substance abuse recovery” and highlighted the network of local providers and partnerships that support recovery work. “This year’s theme for National Recovery Month is ‘recovery is for everyone, every person, every family, every community,’” Brown said. Brown and commissioners noted county partnerships include the sheriff’s office, jail-based services, peer-support providers and local shelters. The proclamation text—the board read into the record—says that in 2025, 10,727 Delaware County residents received behavioral health care services from the county’s publicly funded system. Commissioner Merrill said awareness and community support are critical. “We need to be aware of that, and we need to be conscious of that and we need to be helpful and help everybody get through this,” he said. Commissioners thanked local providers and invited residents to participate in recovery-related events during September. No formal changes to county programs or budgets were adopted during the proclamation; the vote was ceremonial and intended to raise awareness. The board posed for a group photo with representatives from the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board after the proclamation was read.