Press release from Vaya Health:
Residents of McDowell and nearby counties plan to come together Saturday in Marion to spread the message that people can and do recover from addiction, mental health concerns and other life challenges.
The first-ever Blue Ridge Recovery Rally will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. April 29 on the courthouse lawn in downtown Marion. The free, family-friendly event is open to everyone, including individuals who are in recovery, interested in recovery, know someone in recovery or simply want to support families, friends and neighbors in building healthier communities.
The rally will include free food and drinks (while supplies last), music, artists, a recovery walk, children’s activities, guest speakers, personal recovery stories, Recovery Champion awards, resource booths and giveaways from local organizations. The first 500 people to register will also receive a free T-shirt.
The event is sponsored by a partnership that includes people in recovery and their supporters, healthcare organizations, local government agencies, nonprofits, law enforcement and other community groups. Similar rallies have taken place throughout the state in past years, but the Marion event is a first for the area, said Richie Tannerhill, a rally organizer and peer trainer at Vaya Health, a public managed healthcare organization.
“We’re spreading the word that people do recover, and it’s not the exception. In fact, it’s the expectation,” Tannerhill said. “We’re countering the stigma surrounding treatment and recovery, which can cause people to feel ashamed or lose hope, with messages of support and encouragement.”
Ted Bell, district attorney for McDowell and Rutherford counties, is also a rally supporter. “Everyone in our community is either someone who needs help for substance use or someone who can offer help, even if it’s something as simple as a kind word or a smile,” Bell said. “The rally is a great opportunity for people to come out and have a good time while bringing these discussions out of the shadows and into the sunshine.”
Danny Hampton, executive director of Freedom Life Ministries, a rally sponsor, said he envisions the McDowell County area as becoming a vibrant “recovery community” that promotes health, hope and healing. “Recovery has changed the lives of countless individuals,” Hampton said. “At the same time, higher rates of recovery and lower rates of addiction benefit everyone in the community. This rally allows everyone to show their support for a heathier future.”
Addiction and mental health issues affect people from all walks of life, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, education level or other factors. Nationwide, more than 8 percent of people age 12 or older are addicted to or dependent on alcohol or drugs, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Also, 18 percent of adults reported mental health concerns – such as depression or anxiety – in the previous year.
SAMHSA defines recovery as “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential.” Research shows most people who participate in extended treatment stop using substances, avoid criminal activity, improve their mental health and function better at work and in society.
The Blue Ridge Recovery Rally supports a variety of paths to recovery and is not affiliated with any one philosophy or organization. Event sponsors include Communities Rallying for Recovery, Vaya Health, the McDowell County Health Coalition, the Marion Police Department, the McDowell County’s Sheriff’s Office, A Caring Alternative, Freedom Life Ministries, Celebrate Recovery and additional partners.
For more information, call 828-559-2224 or email info@freedomlifeministries.org.
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