by Kayla Myers, Peer Support coordinator
September 16, 2025
September is a month filled with awareness and reflection, particularly for those of us who have witnessed the power of recovery, resilience, and healing. As we celebrate Recovery Month, it's a time to acknowledge the often difficult yet transformative journey individuals and families face as they overcome mental health challenges.
For me, this month holds deep meaning. As a mother of two boys and a former Family Peer Supporter, I’ve had the privilege and the heavy responsibility of helping others navigate the complexities of mental health recovery. I’ve worked with families in distress, and I’ve watched individuals confront their deepest struggles. But I’ve also seen the incredible strength, courage, and growth that recovery can bring.
Yet, there is something that still weighs heavily on my heart: the stigma surrounding mental health. Despite the progress we’ve made in recent years, this stigma still casts a shadow over so many lives, preventing people from seeking the help they desperately need.
One of the things I’ve learned in my years as a Family Peer Supporter is that recovery isn’t a linear process. It’s not about a simple “before” and “after.” It’s about the small steps, the setbacks, the wins, and the ongoing commitment to self-care and healing. Mental health recovery is an ongoing journey, and it looks different for everyone.
For some, recovery may mean gaining the strength to get out of bed every morning despite the overwhelming weight of anxiety or depression. For others, it could mean learning new coping skills, reaching out for help, or rebuilding relationships that have been impacted by mental health struggles. For families, recovery often means learning to support loved ones in ways that are compassionate and healthy, without enabling destructive patterns.
I’ve seen families come together, broken by the weight of mental health struggles, only to rebuild stronger than before. It’s beautiful to witness, but it's also not without its challenges. As much as we talk about recovery, there’s still a pervasive idea that mental health struggles are something to hide or be ashamed of. And that’s where stigma comes in.
Even as we take more steps toward understanding and supporting mental health, the stigma still holds a tight grip on many people’s willingness to seek help. Growing up, I saw how mental health was treated as something “other” or “wrong.” If someone was struggling, they were seen as weak, flawed, or broken. I don’t know if this is a generational thing, a cultural thing, or simply the result of the lack of awareness, but it’s something I’ve always tried to change, especially as I began working with families in crisis.
The stigma surrounding mental health is powerful. It tells people that they are lesser for needing help or feeling different. It creates shame and isolation, making people feel that recovery is impossible or that they don’t deserve it. In families, the silence around mental health can be just as harmful as the illness itself. When parents are afraid to talk about their own mental health struggles, they may unintentionally pass on this message to their children. And when a child experiences mental health challenges but doesn’t feel safe asking for help, the consequences can be devastating.
As a mother to two boys, I often find myself reflecting on how I can raise them to be emotionally healthy and open-minded about mental health. I want them to understand that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. I want them to know that it’s okay to not always feel okay. And most importantly, I want them to grow up in a world where mental health is normalized, not stigmatized. The climate we live in today, marked by political unrest, economic uncertainty, and social division, has only intensified the strain on our mental health. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues are on the rise, particularly among young people. Social media, while connecting us in some beautiful ways, often contributes to feelings of inadequacy, fear of missing out, and isolation. The constant bombardment of news, the pressure to perform and “do it all,” and the overwhelming sense of global instability weigh heavily on everyone, regardless of age.
As a mother, I see this playing out in my own sons. They’re growing up in a world where mental health challenges are talked about more openly, but they’re also facing more pressure than previous generations. They’re navigating the ups and downs of adolescence in a world that doesn’t always prioritize emotional well-being.
That’s why recovery, whether it’s from a mental health crisis, addiction, or trauma, has to be something we work on every day. It’s not just about getting better, it’s about maintaining balance in a world that constantly demands more of us. And it’s vital that we, as a society, create an environment where recovery is seen as possible, necessary, and supported.
One of the most rewarding parts of my work as a Family Peer Supporter was helping families understand that recovery and wellness are not only possible but also achievable. Families need to be part of the healing process. They need to know how to support their loved ones without enabling harmful behaviors, and they need to learn how to take care of themselves in the process.
The resources and support available for families are critical. Therapy, peer support groups, and community outreach programs all play a vital role in the recovery process. But there’s something equally important: creating a safe space for families to talk openly about their struggles without fear of judgment. Recovery isn’t just about the individual, it’s about the entire system of care that surrounds them.
For those of us who have walked this journey, we know that recovery isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, and it’s about support. And one of the most important things we can do as a society is to lift the burden of shame that so often accompanies mental health struggles. When we remove the stigma, we make room for recovery to flourish.
As we reflect on Recovery Month, let’s celebrate not only the individuals who have made remarkable strides in their mental health journeys but also the families, friends, and communities that support them. Recovery is a collective effort. It’s about breaking down barriers, removing the shame, and acknowledging that mental health is just as important as physical health.
As a mom and a family peer supporter, I stand firm in my belief that recovery is possible for anyone who seeks it and that no one should ever feel alone in their journey. Mental health is part of the human experience, and it’s time we all start treating it with the care and attention it deserves.
Let’s keep breaking the stigma. Let’s keep supporting each other. And let’s keep moving forward, collectively.
(Edited and enhanced with ChatGPT)