September is National Recovery Month, but many advocates point out we can certainly recognize recovery year-round, including Keegan Wicks. He is the National Advocacy and Outreach Manager for Faces & Voices of Recovery. He works to ensure that the recovery spectrum of services is available and funded for anyone who needs them.

In this podcast, Keegan talks about:

• Why it’s okay to say “Happy” Recovery Month
• How Recovery Month started and has changed throughout the years
• His personal journey with mental health and substance use disorders
• How his family network helped him navigate the often-complicated recovery system
• Why the systems and access to recovery should never be a result of good luck and privilege
• The inner voice that led him to get involved and affect change
• Being the voice at the table with lived experience in recovery
• Faces & Voices of Recovery’s focus and core messages of accessibility and inclusiveness
• Helping organizations be “recovery ready”
• How Congress is helping with prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts
• Why it’s an exciting time to highlight and show what recovery can look like
• How to get involved in Recovery Month initiatives, and why to stay involved