Statement
This week marks National Pain Awareness Week in Canada, an opportunity to show compassion to those living with pain and combat the stigma associated with this chronic health condition.
November 4, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Health Canada
Everyone experiences pain at some point in their lives, but for one in five people in Canada, pain is a fact of daily life. This week marks National Pain Awareness Week in Canada, an opportunity to show compassion to those living with pain and combat the stigma associated with this chronic health condition.
Because chronic pain remains largely invisible, those affected often feel stigmatized and isolated. As a result, they do not always seek help. When pain goes unmanaged, we know the physical, emotional and social impacts are significant. Unmanaged pain also increases the risk of mental health issues and addictions and has been established as a key factor in the overdose crisis.
The prevalence of chronic pain is even higher for many people, including women, military personnel and veterans, indigenous populations, and people in physically demanding jobs.
National Pain Awareness Week is also an opportunity to recognize and thank members of the pain community who work tirelessly to achieve the priorities identified by the Canadian Pain Task Force, supported by Health Canada . The federal government also funded the creation of Pain Canada, an initiative to coordinate national efforts and mobilize resources for Canadians affected by pain across the country. Health Canada also supported the creation of the Overcoming Pain Portal, which provides free virtual resources to help people affected by pain better manage this complex health problem. Finally, in 2023, Canada became the first country to publish a national standard dedicated to the management of pain in the pediatric population.
Because injuries and pain are common in the trades, workers often turn to alcohol or other substances to manage pain. Pain relief is one way people are introduced to opioids. We recently relaunched the Lighten the Burden campaign, which provides free resources to tradespeople struggling with addiction and conveys the message that “it takes strength to ask for help.” The campaign provides information for employers and employees to begin these tough discussions in the workplace. The campaign aims to create a space where men feel safe and supported to seek help if they are struggling with addiction, to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help and finally, to save lives.
All of these actions will improve the quality of life of people affected by pain. It is thanks to the collective efforts undertaken by the different levels of government, members of the medical community, researchers and pain experts, and thanks to significant mobilization of people living with pain that we will be able to better prevent and manage pain.
By raising awareness, we can ensure that people suffering from chronic pain receive the support they need to live more fulfilling lives.
The Honorable Ya’ara Saks, CP, Member of Parliament
Resource people
Callum Haney
Press officer
Cabinet de l’honorable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
343-576-4407
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
[email protected]
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