As part of Recovery Awareness Month, “My Name Is….” campaign launches in St. George

In celebration of September Recovery Awareness Month, the “My name is…” campaign launched throughout southern Utah. National Recovery Awareness Month was designed to bring awareness and support for addiction recovery. In conjunction, the “My name is…” campaign is taking it a step further. Splendor Sargent, the business development director at Therapia Addiction Healing Center, said, “The ‘My name is…’ campaign is meant to release the stigma of recovery. It is to allow people to accept it, face it, and move on past it.”

The “My name is…” campaign officially launched at Therapia on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a press conference and ribbon cutting ceremony. Approximately 150 people packed the room as they gathered to show their support in kicking off the campaign. Melynda Thorpe of Emceesquare hosted the event which was organized by Sargent. Also in attendance and showing their support of the “My name is…” campaign were St. George Chamber of Commerce members, Utah Sen. Stephen H. Urquhart, Sheriff Cory Pulsipher, St. George Mayor Jon Pike, County Attorney Brock Belnap, Washington County Commissioners Renstrom, Gardner, and Iverson, and members of the public and press.

Thorpe welcomed those in attendance and shared a personal family story of her brother’s success story in overcoming addiction.

“We are lucky he is alive,” said Thorpe. Having battled with addiction, Thorpe’s brother is now clean and sober and is enrolled in a Master’s degree program.

Sargent also shared her personal struggle with addiction. She said she felt a strong pull to organize the “My name is…” campaign to help others realize recovery should be celebrated. She recalled how early on in her own recovery she held her head in shame and was afraid others might learn of her past.

“Recovery from addiction should be honored and celebrated,” said Sargent. “The ‘My name is…” campaign is all about offering an opportunity for recovering addicts to proudly identify themselves and share their stories and to be honored for their effort to live an addiction-free life.”

Sheriff Pulsipher said he was disappointed that his facility did not have the ability to deal with many of the issues associated with addiction. However, he acknowledged that the facility houses many that are in need of services.

“Our facility doesn’t provide what families need to properly deal with addiction,” Pulsipher said. “We need the community coming together to address this issue.”

Pulsipher went on to share his excitement for recent initiatives that are helping bring services to assist.

“We have seen the effectiveness of drug court and mental health court,” he said. “We now have access to a clinical therapist. There is more being done as a result of [Utah Justice Reinvestment Initiative].”

The Utah Justice Reinvestment Initiative was established to deal with recidivism rates which often result from addiction. According to information put out by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert: “Historically, Utah has maintained a modest incarceration rate while the crime rate has steadily declined. However, in the last decade, the state’s prison population has grown 22 percent. The state projects it will grow by another 37 percent over the next two decades, requiring 2.700 new prison beds. The state’s recidivism rate, measured by the share of offenders returning to prison within three years of being released, is 46 percent.”

Ben Harris, Therapia Executive Director, said there are approximately 22.5 million people suffering from addiction in the United States.

“Less than 10 percent are getting help,” Harris said. “The stigma is part of the reason.”

Harris said it is important not to try and save an addict by covering up or doing too much for them.

“Too often, we try to ease their suffering because it is uncomfortable and painful to us to see them suffer,” he said. “Allow them to suffer. That is where they find their strength.”

Finding strength is what the “My name is…” campaign hopes to offer. Through a community effort of awareness and support, the campaign hopes to alleviate the stigma of recovery from addiction. Its purpose is to celebrate and honor those choosing to make efforts to live an addiction free life.

“My name is…” campaign events

The “My name is…” campaign and Recovery Awareness Month will be seen throughout southern Utah over the next month with several events.

On Aug. 26, Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson signed a proclamation declaring September “Recovery Awareness Month” in Cedar City.

Sept. 1 was the press conference and ribbon cutting, officially launching the “My name is…” campaign.

On Sept. 3, Mayor Pike will sign a proclamation declaring September “Recovery Awareness Month” for St. George.

On Sept. 4, George Streetfest will include a Recovery Red Zone allowing for treatment and recovery services to join together.

On Sept. 12, a Mud Run at Staheli Family Farm featuring American Ninja Athletes will take place.

On Sept. 22, the Fall Recovery Classic Golf Tournament takes place at The Ledges.

On Sept. 24, Southwest Utah Recovery Day Celebration at Town Square will see the launching of red balloons.