Mental Health America partners with UW-Sheboygan for recovery month

September is National Recovery Month and Mental Health America (MHA) in Sheboygan County is proudly partnering with the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Theatre to address the topic in an educational and personal way.

Three performances, 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 21-23, will all be shown at the UW-Sheboygan Theatre, located on the UW-Sheboygan campus at One University Drive. One Step Up, a story about “alcoholism, recovery, and Bruce Springsteen”, written and performed by University Theatre’s own Director and MHA Board Member, Thomas Campbell, will address portrayals of alcoholism on the American stage and provide a talk-back session after each performance moderated by Sheboygan’s MHA.

“When it comes to addiction, people are often dealing with so much pain, that they don’t want to talk about it, which I respect. That said, there are people out there who have powerful stories that are comfortable sharing them in hopes that their story can help another person,” said Campbell.

MHA Sheboygan supports the guiding principles of recovery developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHASA) which is:

Recovery ... :

» emerges from hope » is person-driven » occurs via many pathways » is holistic » is supported by peers and allies » is supported through relationship and social networks

» is culturally-based and influence

» is supported by addressing trauma

» involves individual, family, community strengths and responsibility

» is based on respect Four major dimensions that support a life in recovery are the areas of health, home, purpose and community. Health reflects overcoming and management of addiction and illness, including healthy choices that support mind, body and soul. Home is having a stable and safe place to live. Purpose is finding meaning in life again after living life with untreated mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. Work, school, volunteerism and contributing to society in healthy ways give purpose. Community encourages socialization and supportive networks of friendship, love and hope.

Campbell’s One Step Up performances allow us to encourage the message of hope & resilience for a healthy community by promoting recovery.

Storytelling and the stage are powerful tools used for addressing and removing stigma around substance abuse/mental health issues, which for many is a significant barrier in getting the treatment individuals deserve.

Three performances of One Step Up are planned with talk-back sessions taking place after each performance moderated by MHA-Sheboygan. Tickets are available at the door and online at http://sheboygan .uwc.edu/campus/arts/theatre. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m.

MHA Sheboygan will have an information table with resources available at each performance. The general admission tickets are $10 adults and $5 for seniors and non-UW-Sheboygan students. UW-Sheboygan students are free with student ID. For more information, visit www.sheboygan. uwc.edu or call 920-459-6677.

If you or someone you know needs mental health or substance abuse services in Sheboygan County, please call MHA at 920-458-3951 or email info@mhasheboygan.org to learn about resources available. For mental health emergencies, please call the Mobile Crisis line at 920-459-3151 or 911. Treatment works. Recovery is possible.

To learn more, contact Kate Baer, co-chair of Healthy Sheboygan County 2020 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Committee and executive director of Mental Health America in Sheboygan County, at kate@mhasheboygan.org or 920-458-3951.