Light Up the Night for Recovery set for Sept. 14

The Oneida County Health Department has announced this year’s Light Up the Night for Recovery event will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 14 at Hodag Park.

“Mental health and substance use disorders affect all communities, people from all walks of life, and all age groups,” according to a health department press release. Each September, National Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery. It reminds us that ‘Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.’”

Millions of people in the United States are living with a substance use or mental health concern, the release notes. In fact, many experience both of these as co-occurring challenges. Although these disorders are often serious, they are treatable. People can and do recover every day.

 Recovery is a process of change where individuals improve their health and strive to reach their full potential. There are many different recovery pathways, all of which need to be supported through relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope. Recovery is more difficult to attain when people seeking recovery do not experience this level of support.

To better support the path to recovery, partners in Oneida County are working to reduce stigma, increase social connectedness and grow awareness of the local recovery support services. As part of this effort, all community members are invited to attend the annual “Light Up the Night for Recovery” outdoor event. 

This free family-friendly evening will include a community resource fair, games, refreshments, raffle prizes, and a time for story-sharing. It is a time to celebrate recovery, remember those who were lost, and connect individuals with recovery support, the release states.

 Light Up the Night for Recovery is made possible through partners of the Northwoods Community, Outreach, Prevention, and Education Coalition (COPE). 

Nicolet College, Rhinelander Police Department, Wisconsin Voices for Recovery, Oneida County Department of Social Services, and the Oneida County Health Department also support this event.

People with substance use and mental health disorders need community support on their pathway to recovery. Recovery support and treatment services can help. 

Available resources include:

• American Indian Quitline: Call 1-833-9AL-QUIT (1-833-924-7848)

• Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line: Text READY to 200-400 or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

• Dial 211: local resources and referrals

• Text or call 988 for 24/7 crisis support

• Tri-County Crisis Number (Forest, Oneida, Vilas): 1-888-299-1188

• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1)

• If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call 911 immediately.

To learn more about National Recovery Month, visit https://rm.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/. For more information on this local event, contact Moriah Gross at 715-369-6110.