Press Release: Journey to Recovery Events Held as Part of National Mental Health Month

Journey to Recovery Events Held as Part of National Mental Health Month
Regional Health Systems brings forth the realities of substance use and recovery

MERRILLVILLE, IN – During the month of May, as part of National Mental Health Month, Regional Health Systems brings forth the realities of substance-abuse and recovery. Upcoming events will illustrate the Journey to Recovery through the eyes of the Recovery Matters program, with two local art gallery events and a luncheon panel discussion at Gamba Ristorante.

The Recovery Matters program at Regional Mental Health Center, a community mental health center within Regional Health Systems care network, provides two residential recovery units: one in East Chicago and the other in Merrillville. The program, which lasts up to 28 days, provides medication, assisted therapy, opioid and alcohol detox, along with an introduction to self-help groups.

“Stepping into one of the residential recovery units at Regional, it’s typical for a patient to feel nervous, apprehensive and scared. For someone with an addiction, it’s abnormal to not be using drugs or alcohol. It’s the willingness to change that is the greatest obstacle that a patient will face,” says Victoria Charleston-Hanley, program supervisor of the Recovery Matters program at Regional Mental Health Center.

Charleston-Hanley will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Journey to Recovery events as her story lends a unique perspective to substance use. “Over 22 years ago, I came to Regional Mental Health Center as a patient. I made the call for help because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. March 18, 1995 became my clean date. I was 42 years old,” remarks Charleston-Hanley.

The journey to recovery is never a straight, steady road. Rather, there are ups and downs, new discoveries and setbacks, but positive changes can happen along the way. Learn more about the Journey to Recovery at these upcoming events:

• #RecoveryMatters Art Gallery—East Chicago: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. at Regional Mental Health Center, 3909 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago, IN. Special remarks by Mayor Anthony Copeland. Light refreshments provided.
• #RecoveryMatters Art Gallery—Merrillville: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 from 5-7 p.m. at Regional Mental Health Center, 8555 Taft St. in Merrillville, IN. Special remarks by Merrillville Town Council President, Richard Hardaway and State Representative, Lisa Beck. Light refreshments provided.
• #RecoveryMatters Luncheon Panel: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Gamba Ristorante, 455 E. 84th Dr. in Merrillville, IN. Learn from many unique perspectives through a lunch panel discussion with the individuals you would meet on the Journey to Recovery. Free lunch and open to the community—please register to secure seating for this event.
  All events are free and open to the public. Space is limited, so please register to guarantee entry at rhs.care/recovery.

About Regional Health Systems
Regional Health Systems is Northwest Indiana’s only network of care providing access to comprehensive mental health, primary care and social services to low-income, underinsured, and uninsured families. By integrating services offered at Regional Mental Health Center, Regional Health Clinic and the Geminus Corporation, Regional Health Systems treats the whole person—supporting their emotional, physical and cognitive well-being—and builds resilient communities. For more information, visit rhs.care.