SAMHSA Announces Inaugural Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery (STAR) Award Winners

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) hosted the inaugural SAMHSA Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery (STAR) Awards, honoring recovery champions from across the nation, including leaders with lived experience of mental health and/or substance use conditions, youth and family members. The STAR Awards also recognized organizations that have demonstrated commitment to promoting equitable and inclusive access to wellness and recovery supports for people with mental health and/or substance use conditions.

SAMHSA also awarded a special posthumous recognition of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, Co-Founder of The Carter Center, to commemorate her invaluable leadership and enduring legacy in mental health advocacy. The award was accepted by Eve Byrd, Director of Mental Health Programs at The Carter Center.

Addressing the mental health crisis and beating the opioid epidemic are key priorities under President Biden's Unity Agenda for the Nation. And ensuring access to recovery support is a key pillar of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy. SAMHSA works to advance recovery practices that improve health and safety in communities across the country.

"It is not an exaggeration to call today's award recipients trailblazers," said HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm. "We need to continue to promote effective and pioneering practices in recovery support in our public health ecosystem, and today's honorees are leaders in identifying evidence-based investments that move the field forward."

"It was an honor to join advocates who are tirelessly pushing to break barriers and advance recovery," said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the leader of SAMHSA. "SAMHSA will continue to support efforts to help people across the country achieve and maintain recovery from substance use and mental health conditions."

"These stars are helping to transform the lives of the over 60 million people living in the United States who are currently in recovery," said HHS Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine. "Their work provides hope for a healthier, more equitable future. A future that the Biden-Harris Administration is dedicated to achieving with efforts to address mental health and substance use conditions through the HHS Overdose Prevention Plan, and the President's Unity Agenda."

The following individuals were recipients of STAR Awards:

• Equity Champion of the Year- Helen "Skip" Skipper, for her groundbreaking work in advancing justice-involved peer support and creating pathways for equity in the criminal justice system. As the Executive Director of the NYC Justice Peer Initiative, Skip has been a tireless advocate for individuals with lived experience, using her own journey to inspire change.
• Young Adult Leader of the Year- Charlotte Rosario, for her exceptional leadership in youth mental health advocacy and innovation. Following the tragic loss of her father to suicide at age 12, Charlotte has become a driving force for change, creating impactful solutions to the mental health crisis. Her documentary *It's Time We Talk About It* reached over 1.3 million people, sparking vital conversations on suicide prevention across the nation.
• Peer Support Worker of the Year- Parker LaCombe, for her outstanding dedication to mental health advocacy and the peer support workforce. After transitioning from a successful career in finance to follow her passion, Parker has spent the last six years growing and advancing the peer support profession, with a focus on suicide prevention.
• Advocate of the Year- Johanna Kandel, for her exceptional leadership and dedication in the fight against eating disorders. As the founder and CEO of the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, Johanna has transformed the landscape of awareness and support for eating disorders nationwide and internationally.
• Family Leader of the Year- Justin Phillips, for her transformative impact in the fight against opioid overdose and substance use conditions. Following the tragic loss of her son Aaron to a preventable overdose in 2013, Justin founded Overdose Lifeline, Inc. (ODL) to address the opioid crisis through education, advocacy, and support.
• Wellness Champion of the Year- Serena Gunn, for her innovative approach to recovery and wellness. As the founder of HEAL Holistic Journey, Inc., Serena has pioneered the "Fun-covery" movement, advocating for the integration of fun and social activities into the recovery process.
• Innovator of the Year- Philip Cooper, for his pioneering work in reentry support and criminal justice reform. As the Founder and Executive Director of Operation Gateway Inc., Philip has made significant strides in reducing recidivism by addressing the social determinants of health for returning citizens.

SAMHSA also announced it had awarded $1.9 million to support the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center on Addiction Recovery Support (CARS). CARS will build on the work of the Peer Recovery Center of Excellence, providing training and technical assistance (TTA) to expand recovery support services for people with a substance use or co-occurring condition. CARS will include an interactive website with features such as a resource library, TTA request portal, and events calendar. All TTA within the CARS program will be guided by a National Steering Committee and robust network of technical experts and peers with lived and living experience, and professional expertise.

This week, SAMHSA announced the launch of FindTreatment.gov/es, the Spanish language version of its treatment locator. This site will reduce language barriers and allow more people to pursue treatment and find recovery.

In observance of National Recovery Month, SAMHSA hosted the National Walk for Recovery, published the Gallery of Hope, and conducted numerous webinars to spread the message of hope and healing in recovery. Over 200 recovery advocates from across the country joined SAMHSA leadership for the National Walk for Recovery, which sought to celebrate over 60 million Americans in recovery. The Art of Recovery project received over 280 submissions from artists with lived or living experience, which are now featured in the Gallery of Hope. These submissions recognize the transformative power of art in advancing recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).