A bigger ‘We’: UND’s role in reinventing recovery

Recovery Reinvented event highlights UND programs, partnerships in addressing substance use disorder

Speaking at the Recovery Reinvented event on Thursday, Nov. 3, UND President Andrew Armacost said he feels privileged to be able to further support people in recovery of substance use disorders not only across the breadth of campus, but in the community beyond.

That means being part of the group of supporters.

“I certainly hope that in my personal life, I can be part of the ‘We’ to support those in recovery, and as the president of the University of North Dakota, to be in an even stronger position to be a bigger ‘We,’ a bigger support group to support those who are in recovery,” Armacost said.

Armacost was one of the invited speakers at Recovery Reinvented, the annual state-sponsored event that aims to eliminate the shame and stigma of substance use disorder in North Dakota communities. Held this year at the Alerus Center, the event is the key initiative of North Dakota first lady Kathryn Burgum, who has been upfront and open about her struggle with alcoholism and her life in recovery.

Both Gov. Doug Burgum and Kathryn Burgum hosted the daylong event that brought keynote speakers together to share their stories. The event also serves as a gathering place for behavioral health professionals, family members and friends, and the front-line workers engaged with supporting those with a substance use disorder.

In referring to the concept of a “We,” Armacost took a cue from the day’s first keynote speaker, Carrie Steinseifer-Bates, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, and now outreach manager for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She spoke about her descent into alcoholism, her life in recovery and the need to come together to effect positive change for those facing the disease of addiction.

“We, all of you in this room today, we are the voices and the faces that will change the world,” she said.

After being welcomed to the stage by the governor and first lady, Armacost said he prepared his remarks by reflecting on people in his life who have been affected by addiction. In particular, he spoke about two former colleagues who have similar stories – both are U.S. Air Force Academy graduates, and both attended the same graduate school. Both also suffered from alcoholism.

The stories of those friends have very different endings. One friend entered recovery and is doing well both professionally and in terms of health. The other died this summer. Armacost said the “We” played a role in both his friends’ lives.

“When I reflect upon what happened to them, I realized that the first friend had a great “We.” The second friend had no one,” he said.

Armacost said remembering his friends made him think about what is being done on campus to contribute to support systems for people with substance use disorder. The good news is there is quite a lot UND offers to its faculty, staff and students, as well as to the people in Grand Forks and across North Dakota. Even better news is those programs and initiatives are growing.

Armacost described several on-campus programs available for UND students, faculty, staff and their families, including:

• The University Counseling Center, which recognizes the importance of early intervention, and how substance use disorders progress. The center offers a variety of counseling services and the necessary peer support groups for effective treatment.
• The Village Business Institute, which has several counseling programs and is available to UND employees and their families.
• The Green Bandana Project. This national project is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention campaign. Students involved in the program wear a green bandana on their backpacks, which makes them recognizable to their peers. These volunteers then can guide students to assistance programs. Nearly 400 UND students volunteered to undergo training to participate in the campaign.
• The UpLift support program for aerospace students, a peer support program for students in the Aerospace College. UND also will host a first-of-its-kind Aviation Mental Health Symposium from Nov. 16-17.
• The UND Behavioral Health Unit, which focuses on teaching, research and service to support prevention, treatment and recovery by preparing the future workforce, and expanding research and evidence-based practices in substance use disorders that are culturally responsive.

Armacost also spoke of off-campus partnerships and collaborations, including:

• The Mountain Plains Addiction Technology Transfer Center. The center serves a six-state region that includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado. Cindy Juntunen, UND’s dean of education, health and behavior, is the principal investigator and co-director of the center, which offers training in evidence-based treatment and recovery of substance use disorders throughout the region.
• The Mountain Plains Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. The center collaborates with the ATTC to address substance use and mental health issues, and is overseen by Rachel Navarro, a professor of counseling psychology, education, health and behavior.
• UND’s Western North Dakota suicide prevention program, called North Dakota HOPES (Healthcare Opportunity, Prevention and Education in Suicide prevention). This program is run by Thomasine Heitkamp, research developer in the office of the vice president for research and economic development, and Ethan Dahl, assistant professor in education, health and behavior studies. It serves disproportionately affected populations, including rural residents, veterans and LGBTQ+ youth.
• LaGrave on First, Grand Forks’ supportive housing solution for people who experience chronic homelessness. The housing project is a collaboration between The UND Department of Social Work, the Grand Forks Housing Authority and Altru Hospital.

Armacost also said that UND and universities across the nation are putting their “best foot forward” to educate professionals in the disciplines of social work, pharmacology criminal justice, philosophy and counseling, among others, in order to contribute to recovery and well-being of those who have substance use disorder.

“These contributions are certainly extensive, and they include many, many opportunities for us to operate in a multifaceted way with partners across the state and in the local community,” Armacost said.