People affected by substance abuse are being encouraged to seek support during National Recovery Month.

The Department for National Drug Control will use September to educate the island about treatment options and to promote mental health services to help people turn their lives around.

A spokesman said: “Each September millions of prevention, treatment and recovery programmes and facilities around the world celebrate National Recovery Month.

“They speak about the gains made by those in recovery and share their success stories with their neighbours, friends and colleagues.

“In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and fosters a greater understanding of the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.”

The DNDC, under the Ministry for National Security and in conjunction with treatment agencies across the island, will celebrate the 37th recovery month.

The movement is spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration in the USA.

“The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioural health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover,” the spokesman said.

“There are hundreds of Bermudians whose lives have been positively transformed through recovery.

“Since these successes often go unnoticed by the broader population, Recovery Month 2026 will provide a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments.”

The DNDC will highlight how substance use treatment and mental health services can enable people to live a healthy and rewarding life.

A range of activities will take place throughout September to encourage public awareness and support for those in treatment and recovery.

Among the events, the community is invited to wear purple socks on September 4 and to attend a Harbour Light drive-by concert on September 11, from 2pm to 4pm outside the King Street facility.

A community information session is being staged on September 14 at St John’s hall in Pembroke, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, bringing together treatment and recovery agencies to explain the services they provide and how members of the public can access support.

Recovery Month will conclude on 30 September with the Candlelight Vigil of Hope and Remembrance at Victoria Park, from 6pm to 8pm.

The vigil will honour recovery pioneers who are no longer with us, remember those who have lost their lives to addiction and reinforce the message that recovery is possible.

The events form part of a wider programme of activities taking place throughout the month.

The DNDC thanked partners including the Bermuda Addiction Certification Board, Bermuda Assessment and Referral, the Department of Court Services, Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Court, Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Focus Counselling Services and Life Skills and Counselling with the Department of Child and Family Services.

The agency also acknowledged the Nelson Bascome Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Pathways Bermuda, the Department of Corrections’s Right Living House, The Salvation Army, the Turning Point Substance Abuse Programme from the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Dignity House, churches, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon.