Today, we know that approximately:
- 1/10 individuals will be challenged by their substance use
- 4 people will be directly impacted by an individuals substance use
- 1/6 children are challenged by a parent's active addiction.
As health professionals and first responders, we are ideally positioned to provide the compassionate and trauma-informed care needed to dismantle the stigma that prevents families from receiving adequate care while simultaneously supporting families ability to heal.
Visit www.starlings.ca to register or register directly here: https://starlingscommunity.web...nars/739363/register
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It is widely recognized that problematic substance use is rooted in the social determinants of health. And as we know, the relational trauma that ensues when a child is challenged by a parent's addiction can have long term implications for their health and well being, including, increasing their own risk of future substance use.
Yet, there continues to be a stigma associated with individuals who are challenged by an addiction to drugs or alcohol. This stigma, particularly when structural, has devastating effects on whole families and prevents them from not only reaching out for help, but also from receiving adequate care and support when they do.
What assumptions and biases might we have of those impacted by addictions? How might these assumptions impact our ability to provide trauma-informed and compassionate care?
Please join is on Thursday May 6, from 10:30am-1pm MST for a FREE WEBINAR as we share in our stories with lived experience of the STIGMA and inspire you to be apart of the community that can help families heal.
About the host:
Agnes Chen:
Agnes Chen is the founder of Starlings Community, as well as a Registered Nurse, an active member on the Trauma-Informed Care Collective of Alberta, and most importantly, a mother to 4 beautiful babes. Her passion for co-creating a community that can support the well being, resilience, and healing of children AND FAMILIES impacted by substance use comes from her own childhood with parents who were challenged by their own past traumas, all of which was compounded by societies stigma of addictions. She believes in the incredible power we have in each other's lives, and as a relentless dreamer, is determined to ensure every child who is impacted by a loved ones addiction feels the support of their community.
About the presenters:
Kyle Young Pine
Kyle Young Pine is a father, a journeyman plumber, gas fitter, skateboarder of 23 years, and fancy feather dancer from the Kainai Blood Indian Reserve in Alberta, on Treaty 7 Territory. Kyle was always taught that "dancing is to heal", which has been a gift in his own life and throughout his own personal healing journey. Today, Kyle uses his personal experiences with addictions, stigma, as well as his dancing and boarding to ensure others in his community are supported on their healing journey. On May 6, he will generously share his story and how he believes we can come together as a community to support the healing of families challenged by addictions.
Vanisha Breault
It takes gusto to live your recovery out loud, but that is how Vanisha Breault has pledged to live her life—every day. Recognizing her community as a chance to impact change on a local and national level, she is a crusader for social justice. She is a dedicated mother and grandmother, who has founded the Terminator Foundation, a nonprofit organization helping youth overcome addiction. Its motto, "The Truth is You Can Recover" drives the mission to revolutionize lives through the sport of triathlon. Vanisha's personal story of addiction is the motivating force behind her dream of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues and today, all of which she will share with us on May 6 .
Pearl White Quills
Blessed with the name Aa koa miyanist tsi'nih kiaki (Sings Many Different Songs Woman), Pearl is a mother and grandmother as well as a professional beadwork artist from Siksika and Kainai Nations, whose mission is to empower First Nations through all forms of artistry, utilizing her spirituality as the foundation. Her passion for the drum allows her to facilitate the Buffalo Women’s Drum Circle through Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary and Calgary Women's Remand Centre, a gift she will use on May 6 to empower each of us on our own healing journeys. Through the sharing of her experiences with addictions, as well as with her healing, she will empower each of us in our ability to support another on their healing journey. As her own healing journey has been a lengthy one, she remains committed to her Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) way of life, which has given her a vision to plant seeds for all to develop their own journeys in finding their purpose.
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