Recovery Awareness And A Readiness For Change

Recovery Awareness Month or National Recovery Month is observed every September. The observance is dedicated to promoting and supporting new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members who make recovery possible.

How Young People Can Understand Mental Health and Recovery

Change can be tough. Whether it is learning how to manage stress, asking for help when feeling low, or trying to stop harmful habits, taking that first step is not always easy. It can feel confusing, scary, or even impossible. But there is something important to know: change does not happen all at once. It is a journey with different steps along the way. And the more we understand those steps, the easier it is to move forward each day.

The Transtheoretical Model of Change is a simple way to understand how people grow, heal, and recover; especially when dealing with mental health challenges or struggles with things like alcohol, drugs, or harmful behaviors. Let’s see how we can all support ourselves and each other in getting better.

The Transtheoretical Model was developed by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the 1980s and outlines five core stages of behavioral change. It helps people and professionals identify where someone is in their readiness to change which is always crucial in mental health and addiction recovery work. Whether someone is trying to feel better emotionally, stop a harmful habit, or ask for help, these five stages can help someone understand where they are
and what can be done next. Following are the stages of change:

1. Pre-contemplation: At this stage, you might not see a problem yet, or you might think things cannot get better. You might feel like nothing is wrong, or you’re just not ready to talk about it. Just learning about mental health or hearing someone else’s story can plant a seed. Be open to listening and talking, even if you’re unsure.
2. Contemplation: Now you’re starting to think about things more. You might still feel unsure, but you are beginning to ask yourself if something needs to change. Talk to someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend. Thinking out loud can help you sort through your feelings.
3. Preparation: You’ve decided you want to do something about what you’re going through. Now you are planning or getting ready to take action. Make a small, doable plan. Ask someone to support you as you take that first step.
4. Action: Now you’re taking steps to feel better or get healthier. You might be seeing a counselor, journaling, attending a group, or cutting back on harmful habits. Keep going. It’s okay if you mess up or have a hard day. Progress doesn’t have to be perfect.
5. Maintenance: You have made big changes and now you are working to keep them going. You know what helps you stay well and you try to use those tools regularly. Stay connected to your support system. Be kind to yourself and remember that healing takes time.

This model of change matters for mental health and addiction recovery because it reduces unwanted guilt by understanding that this is a step-by-step process and it is possible to experience recovery. No matter where you are in your journey, just thinking about change or already making big moves, you are not alone. Everyone goes through these stages at their own pace. Asking for help is strong. Taking care of your mental health is brave. And change is always possible even if it is one small step at a time.

If a child is struggling with mental health or substance use or living with family who are struggling, the Louisiana Education & Addiction Network (LEAN) is a great resource for assisting with recovery. LEAN staff and counselors work with the families to understand what is needed for their child to help live a normal and productive life.