Honoring Lives Lost, Celebrating Recovery

August 31, 2026
  • A purple board is decorated with a large purple ribbon in the center and many handwritten messages and positive affirmations for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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  • BHN's Recovery Coaches pose for a group photo in front of a purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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  • 7 Recovery Coaches pose in front of a large, purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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  • A woman gives a speech at BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event with a sign language interpreter interpreting her speech next to her.

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  • A woman in a purple tie-dye shirt reads a poem at the podium for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

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  • A man wears purple in support of International Overdose Awareness Day while giving a heartfelt speech during BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

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  • Recovery coaches, BHN staff members, and some recovery clients sit under a tent while listening to speeches for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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  • Senator Velis talks into a microphone while giving a speech for the International Overdose Awareness Day event at BHN.

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  • A man smiles gives a speech at a podium for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

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  • Team members from BHN wear their purple

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  • 10 Recovery Coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of a large, purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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  • Heartfelt messages and messages in honor of lost loved ones written on the purple board for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

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  • 6 of BHN's recovery coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of a purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day. They're all wearing purple tie-dye shirts that support overdose awareness.

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  • 3 men of BHN's culinary team smile and pose for a photo in behind the food and water that was shared at BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

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  • 4 of BHN's Recovery Coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of the purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day while wearing purple shirts that say

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  • 6 of BHN's staff members smile for a photo in a parking lot.

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  • 3 women from BHN's PPW program smile for a photo in front of the board for International Overdose Awareness Day while wearing purple shirts from their programs.

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  • Senator Velis writes positive affirmations on a purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day.

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    Write your caption here
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  • A group of 6 BHN staff members smile for a photo while standing at a table under a tent.

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BHN's Overdose Awareness Day Event

  • A purple board is decorated with a large purple ribbon in the center and many handwritten messages and positive affirmations for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • BHN's Recovery Coaches pose for a group photo in front of a purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 7 Recovery Coaches pose in front of a large, purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman gives a speech at BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event with a sign language interpreter interpreting her speech next to her.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A woman in a purple tie-dye shirt reads a poem at the podium for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man wears purple in support of International Overdose Awareness Day while giving a heartfelt speech during BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Recovery coaches, BHN staff members, and some recovery clients sit under a tent while listening to speeches for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Senator Velis talks into a microphone while giving a speech for the International Overdose Awareness Day event at BHN.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A man smiles gives a speech at a podium for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Team members from BHN wear their purple

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 10 Recovery Coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of a large, purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Heartfelt messages and messages in honor of lost loved ones written on the purple board for BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 6 of BHN's recovery coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of a purple board that was decorated for International Overdose Awareness Day. They're all wearing purple tie-dye shirts that support overdose awareness.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 3 men of BHN's culinary team smile and pose for a photo in behind the food and water that was shared at BHN's International Overdose Awareness Day event.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 4 of BHN's Recovery Coaches smile and pose for a photo in front of the purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day while wearing purple shirts that say

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 6 of BHN's staff members smile for a photo in a parking lot.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • 3 women from BHN's PPW program smile for a photo in front of the board for International Overdose Awareness Day while wearing purple shirts from their programs.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Senator Velis writes positive affirmations on a purple board for International Overdose Awareness Day.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • A group of 6 BHN staff members smile for a photo while standing at a table under a tent.

    Slide title

    Write your caption here
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BHN's Overdose Awareness Day Event

BHN is proud to join global, national and local efforts to honor lives lost to overdose, reduce stigma, and uplift the journey of recovery. Overdose impacts every community. When we come together to support those on their recovery journey, raise awareness about treatment and prevention options, and show compassion to those in need, we can build a world where fewer lives are lost to overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day

Observed annually on August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to honor those who have died from overdose, acknowledge the grief of family and friends, and raise awareness about overdose prevention. This year's theme, "25 Years On. Still Needed" recognizes the ongoing importance of education, compassion, and action in addressing the overdose crisis.

On August 28th, BHN employees, individuals served, community partners, and community members gathered at our Liberty Street campus in Springfield to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day and kick off Recovery Month.


Together, we honored those we've lost to overdose, reflected on the impact of substance use on individuals, families, and communities, and celebrated the hope and healing that recovery makes possible. The event featured remarks from BHN leaders, community partners, and those with lived experience, along with opportunities for remembrance, reflection, and connection.

September is National Recovery Month

Each September, communities across the country observe National Recovery Month, a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of people in recovery while raising awareness about treatment and recovery support services.


Recovery is possible, and every recovery journey deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. Recovery Month highlights the progress individuals make every day and recognizes the families, peers, providers, and communities that help make recovery possible.


As we recognize Recovery Month, we're honored to share two powerful stories that highlight the impact and possibility of recovery. Through their experiences, Derck and Daniel offer messages of hope, resilience, and healing. Their stories remind us that recovery is possible and that support, connection, and perseverance can help people build healthier, more fulfilling lives.

View more Stories of Hope.

BHN offers a pathway to recovery. If you, or a loved one, are struggling with addiction, call 413-301-WELL to get started or learn more about BHN's continuum of addiction and recovery programs.

BHN offers a pathway to recovery. If you, or a loved one, are struggling with addiction, call 413-301-WELL (9355) to get started or learn more about BHN's continuum of addiction and recovery programs.

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