Start Healing Now

10/14/2026

Nine years. Nine years of missing you, loving you, and learning to navigate a world that changed forever the day you lost your son. 💜

Today marks nine years since Travis passed away, Forever 24. For our SHN Parent Ambassador, Shari Klessig, this day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a heartbreaking reminder of a loss that never gets easier to carry. The world keeps moving, the years keep passing, but a mother’s love never fades, and neither does the ache of missing her child.

Shari has taken unimaginable heartbreak and turned it into something that matters deeply. Through her dedication to Start Healing Now, she continues to honor Travis’s life by helping others, advocating for recovery, and bringing hope to families and individuals impacted by substance use and overdose. She pours her heart and soul into this mission, ensuring that Travis’s life continues to make a difference in the lives of others.

But behind all that strength, advocacy, and love is a mother who simply misses her son. A mother who would give anything for one more hug, one more conversation, one more moment with Travis.

Shari, I hope you know that Travis’s life continues to shine through the work you do, the people you help, and the hope you bring to others. His name matters. His story matters. His life matters. And the love you carry for him is evident in everything you do.

Today, we remember Travis. We honor his life, acknowledge the tremendous loss of his absence, and hold you close in our hearts as you navigate another year without him.
Nine years without Travis, but a lifetime of loving him. May you feel surrounded by love today and always, and may you find comfort in knowing that his legacy continues to touch lives in ways you may never fully see.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever Travis. 💜🕊️

10/14/2026

Thank you for installing Overdose Aid Kit - OAKs in your community, William’s House of Hope as part of the Wisconsin Recovery Alignment State Tour!

ANTIGO — The Wisconsin Recovery Alignment Tour recently made a special stop in Antigo at William’s House of Hope’s thrift store, Thrift for Hope.

10/13/2026

💜 “I Learned to Love from He**in”

During Wisconsin Recovery Alignment Day at the State Capitol in Madison, Alex shared a powerful poem titled I Learned to Love from He**in, also the title of his book.

His words are a reminder of the pain, hope, and healing that can be part of the journey through addiction and recovery.

We are so proud of Alex and his recovery journey, and grateful for his friendship and willingness to share his story with others. Thank you, Alex, for reminding us of the power of hope, healing, and connection. 💜

10/12/2026

Our October newsletter is here! 💜

This month, we’re looking back at the Wisconsin Recovery Alignment Tour. Over 620 miles, the tour brought people together in Madison, Eau Claire, Stevens Point, Appleton, Milwaukee, and a bonus stop in Antigo to share stories, connect with resources, and keep recovery and overdose prevention in the conversation.

Start Healing Now traveled with Helios Heuristic to every stop to share overdose response education, encourage people to carry naloxone, and distribute Overdose Aid Kit - OAKs (thanks to Rogers Behavioral Health) to help community organizations be ready to respond. The tour is over, but the work continues—and every conversation, connection, and kit helps carry the message forward.

Our newsletter also includes photos from the tour, new O.A.K. placements, and a story about how an “I Carry Narcan” sticker sparked a meaningful conversation.

Watch our reels from each tour stop right here on our page, and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starthealingnow2022/

Learn more about Start Healing Now at https://starthealingnow.org/

10/11/2026

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

It’s that time. Tidy up your medicine cabinet, protect the people around you, and safeguard the environment – all at the same time. On Saturday, October 24, you can dispose of your unused and expired medications at more than 100 collection sites statewide.
➡ Find a site near you: dhs.wisconsin.gov/opioids/drug-take-back-day.htm

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day. 💚

Mental health is part of our overall health, and no one should have to face a difficult season alone. Grief, substance use, and the loss of a loved one can affect the mental well-being of individuals and families in many ways.

Let’s make room for honest conversations, listen without judgment, and remind one another that asking for support is a sign of strength. A caring check-in can mean more than we know.

At Start Healing Now, we believe every person deserves compassion, hope, and support.

At , we envision a Wisconsin where people with concerns can talk about them openly and get the right support at the right time in the right place – no shame or judgment.
➡ Get tips to boost mental health and start conversations: dhs.wisconsin.gov/mh/phlmhindex.htm
➡ Learn about mental health conditions: dhs.wisconsin.gov/mh/dcindex.htm
➡ Find options for care: dhs.wisconsin.gov/mh/hccindex.htm

❗In crisis? Connect with a trained counselor now: Call or text 988 or start a chat at 988Lifeline.org

10/10/2026

💜 Five Stops. One Mission. Making a Difference Across Wisconsin!

Start Healing Now was proud to be part of the 2026 Wisconsin Recovery Alignment Tour, connecting with organizations and community groups committed to recovery, overdose prevention, and saving lives.

A very special THANK YOU to Rogers Behavioral Health for generously funding the purchase of Overdose Aid Kits (OAKs) from the Clinton Foundation, making it possible for Start Healing Now to distribute these lifesaving kits to organizations and community groups throughout the five-stop tour!

Each OAK contains naloxone and overdose response instructions, providing communities with the tools needed to respond to an opioid overdose.

We are grateful to Rogers Behavioral Health for making these donations possible, to the Clinton Foundation for its partnership, and to the many organizations that welcomed these kits into their communities.

💜 Working together, we can expand access to naloxone, prevent overdose deaths, and save lives.

10/09/2026

DEA is closely monitoring the emerging threats of novel synthetic opioids. Illicit drugs have always been dangerous, but today’s supply has reached unprecedented levels with the emergence of potent synthetic opioids, like cychlorphine. Drug trafficking organizations frequently modify chemical formulas of known scheduled substances to make their products stronger, more addictive, and more profitable.

In July 2026, DEA published a notice of intent to temporarily schedule cychlorphine as a Schedule 1 substance, which took effect on August 27, 2026. The temporary scheduling order lasts through August 27, 2028.

Cychlorphine can not be detected by fentanyl test strips. Naloxone can reverse opioid-related overdoses, but given the potency of cychlorphine, multiple doses may be required. If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug overdose, call emergency services immediately.

10/07/2026

Congratulations to Thrift for Hope and William’s House of Hope on their installation of two O.A.K.s over the weekend! These O.A.K.s were donated to these two organizations by Rogers Behavioral Health! 👏 👏

We had an amazing time learning about their agencies and how we can help these rural communities. Rural resources are scarce and so vital!

To learn more about them, please visit: https://www.williams-house.org/

Congratulations again to these amazing organizations!