North Dakota HHS Recognizes September as National Recovery Month

September is National Recovery Month, as proclaimed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong. The month celebrates people in recovery, the families and communities who support them and the possibility of recovery from mental health and substance use challenges. North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds North Dakotans that recovery looks different for everyone, and support is available at every stage of the journey. Read the National Recovery Month proclamation.

"Recovery is deeply personal, and no two journeys look exactly the same," said Kenzie Larson, HHS peer support administrator and certified peer support specialist. "Recovery Month reminds us that recovery is possible and gives us an opportunity to celebrate those in recovery, share hope and recognize the people and communities that support them along the way."

HHS also is highlighting recovery through a special Recovery Month booth at the 2026 Behavioral Health and Children and Family Services Conference, featuring personal stories and messages of hope from peer support specialists. The booth activities are made possible through a donation from the Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center.

Additionally, in August, the State of North Dakota was nationally certified as a Recovery Friendly Workplace, recognizing efforts to reduce stigma and create supportive workplaces where people in recovery can thrive.

Recovery is possible, and help is available

HHS partners with community agencies throughout North Dakota to provide services and supports for individuals seeking recovery from substance use and other behavioral health challenges.

Recent changes to North Dakota's kratom laws also highlight the importance of access to treatment and recovery supports. Gov. Kelly Armstrong recently signed legislation banning synthetic kratom products and restricting the sale of natural kratom products to people 21 and older. HHS encourages anyone struggling with kratom or other substance use to seek support and explore available recovery resources.

Resources include:

Regional Behavioral Health Clinics: Provide walk-in assessments and same-day care, 24/7 crisis and residential services, community outreach, youth and family therapy, peer support, skill building, medication management, withdrawal services, outpatient and residential substance use services and recovery supports.

Substance Use Disorder Voucher Program: Helps reduce financial barriers to accessing substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. Since the program began in 2015, nearly 12,000 North Dakotans have been approved for services.

Community Connect: Provides quality, community-based behavioral health recovery services through care coordination and peer support.

Recovery Talk: Offers free, confidential support from trained peer support specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call or text 701-291-7901.

Recovery Housing Assistance Program: Helps eligible individuals with living expenses in approved recovery housing. The program can provide up to 12 weeks of recovery housing expenses, helping create a safe and stable environment while individuals work toward their recovery goals.

Behavioral Health Navigator: Helps individuals and families find services, understand treatment options and take the first step in the behavioral health system. The navigator is available at 701-328-8920 during normal business hours.

North Dakotans also can call or text 211 for information about behavioral health and substance use disorder resources. People experiencing a behavioral health crisis can call, chat or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

North Dakotans can recognize Recovery Month by learning about recovery, sharing messages of hope, supporting people in their communities and helping reduce stigma surrounding behavioral health conditions.

To learn more about mental illness and addiction treatment and recovery resources in North Dakota, visit hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health.