Stronger Together -Workshops in Navigatin the Personal Impacts of Substance Use

FW: Stronger Together - Workshops in Navigating the Personal Impacts of Substance Use

Inbox

I am very happy to pass this info on to you.  This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to learn about the effects substance misuse has on our families and community and how we can be supported and support.

Too many families and communities have been personally and tragically affected by the opioid overdose crisis in Canada. In response to the unsupported and unresolved challenges experienced by families affected by substance use, Stronger Together is a series of dialogue and learning sessions for families and allies impacted by substance use. Community knowledge will be documented and used to inform substance use service planning, as well as research directions, in British Columbia.

In partnership with Moms Stop the Harm, From Grief to Action, the BC Bereavement Helpline, and the five regional Health Authorities, we will be hosting Stronger Together sessions in key communities across BC in 2018-19. With thanks to the Community Action Initiative for funding.

If you are a family member with a loved one who is using substances or has died from substance use, or a service provider supporting families, you are invited to attend these sessions.

Event Description

Six sessions will be hosted in each community, including:

Four dialogue sessions

The 2.5-hour dialogue sessions are focus groups to identify local challenges and support needs, and explore systemic solutions to addressing gaps in substance use care. Community knowledge will be used to inform health service planning, delivery, and research directions.

1. Families whose loved ones are actively using
2. Families who have lost a loved one to substance use
3. Indigenous families affected by substance use
4. Service providers interfacing with families affected by substance use
Two learning sessions

The one-day (8-hour) learning sessions are for individuals and professionals who wish to learn how to facilitate support groups for families affected by substance use. It will review aspects of traumatic loss or active substance use, different types of support groups, safety and containment, what it means to be trauma-informed, how to address power dynamics within the group, how to interview members, and more. Participants will be provided with activity examples and facilitator resources.

1. Grief & Loss Support Group Facilitator’s Learning Session for people interested in establishing and running support groups for families affected by grief and loss from a drug-related death
2. Family Support Group Facilitator’s Learning Session for people interested in establishing and running support groups for families who are coping with their loved one’s addiction

Past Events
Stronger Together – Victoria: November 28-December 1, 2018
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Stronger Together – Surrey: February 13-16, 2019
Click here for more information and to RSVP
Dates and RSVP information for Stronger Together sessions in Vancouver Coastal, Northern, Interior, and Island regions to come. 
For additional information, please contact: Jessica Lowe (jessica.lowe@bcbh.ca) or Katie Mai (katie.mai@bccsu.ubc.ca).

Sincerely,

-- 

BC Bereavement Helpline

volunteers@bcbh.ca

www.bcbh.ca 

Helpline/Office: 604-738-9950

Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223

PO Box 20095 RPO Fairview

Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C1