Rural Areas are Suffering from Quality Mental Health Support
Over ten years of study, published in The Journal of Rural Health, reports continued rising substance use issues, lack of local mental health care and higher costs in rural areas. Rise Recovery is tackling the need with its latest program, Rise Clean Link, telehealth recovery support serving eleven South Texas counties. LEARN MORE
Mental Health Leaders Partner to Advance Youth Wellness
Pictured are Rise Recovery staff members Edie Garza, Justin Hewett and Jessica Alcala along with Harlandale ISD’s mascot. Harlandale ISD serves over 12,000 students and is one of several area school districts supported by the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative.
“I feel like I’m not only understanding others more, I am understanding me.” Those are powerful words coming from one of our Youth Leadership students at Harlandale ISD. We asked the students to share what they have taken away from our new in-school program, here are a few more quotes, “I am always learning something new” and “I’ve learned it’s ok to not be ok, to always talk about it and seek help.” Breaking the stigma and supporting those struggling with their mental health is what this year-long program and our partnership with the San Antonio Mobile Mental Wellness Collaborative is all about!
READ MORE about this program and its new partnership with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, as reported on January 16, 2022 by Brooke Crum in the San Antonio Report.
The holidays should never be scary and never be violent…
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, call our 24/7 Recovery Helpline: 210-729-2273.
Rise Inspire Academy Celebrates its First Graduate, Colin Gerard!
Tanya Jopling, honored for Outstanding Advocacy for Youth in Recovery
Congratulations to Rise Inspire Academy graduate, Colin Gerard, and a huge thank you to the staff and community who made this momentous occasion possible! Colin was celebrated at RIA’s first annual Winter Formal on December 11, 2021.
Rise Inspire Academy is San Antonio’s first and only recovery high school; this dream was realized due to the diligent work of members of Rise Recovery’s Board of Trustees and recovery community leaders who had a vision for providing a better continuum of care for San Antonio youth in recovery. Over several years, these individuals would meet to discuss their vision for what a recovery high school would look like and how they could bring it to fruition for students struggling with substance use. Eventually, they were successful in fostering the partnership between Rise Recovery and Inspire Academies. RIA was opened and the Rise Inspire Academy Advisory Council was formed, which continues to work behind the scenes to ensure high school students, like Colin, are receiving the quality care and support they need to help foster their recovery journey. We are thankful to the chair of the advisory council, Hamilton Barton, CEO of Pay It Forward, which provides sober living for the San Antonio homeless population.
At RIA’s Winter Formal, Tanya Jopling, the original task force leader and current member of the advisory council was awarded the first-ever Outstanding Advocacy for Adolescents in Recovery. Tanya’s impact has been so powerful and long-lasting that the advisory council chose to name this annual award the “Tanya Jopling Award for Outstanding Advocacy for Adolescents in Recovery” so that in future years, when choosing a community member to recognize, her legacy will always be acknowledged. Tanya has worked tirelessly to provide the services San Antonio-area students need to continue towards a solid recovery path. Tanya has specifically worked for the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department for over 24 years and currently serves as their Coordinator for Behavioral Health Services and Resource Development.
Congratulations to both Colin and Tanya!!!
