It is not uncommon for mental health disorders and substance use disorders to coincide. September is a month designated to raise national awareness and discussion, and provide resources for both.

“People can experience these concerns simultaneously, or one disorder may put a person at risk for the other,” said Ashley Yaugher, Utah State University Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, and Teaching (HEART) Initiative faculty member. “Also, people can experience thoughts of suicide while using substances. This awareness month highlights prevention, treatment, hope, connection, and recovery resources.”

Yaugher said the HEART Initiative’s mission is to educate and reduce deaths caused by substance use disorder, overdose, and suicide. Initiative team members have both spearheaded and collabor

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