EMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING OF ADVERSE CHILHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA-AWARENESS
EMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING OF ADVERSE CHILHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA-AWARENESS
EMPATHETIC UNDERSTANDING OF ADVERSE CHILHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMA-AWARENESS
Stress and Stigma
THE ISSUE:
There are children experiencing the stress of their parent's unaddressed trauma and subsequent substance use disorder, and society's stigma
There are parent's who have unaddressed trauma and a subsequent substance use disorders who do not have access to adequate healing
supports, and are exposed to society's stigma.
THE LIVES:
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atleast 1 in 6 Canadain children are exposed to a parent's substance use disorder
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Parental substance use disorder is stressful, and considered an adverse childhood experience which increases the risk of additional stress (ACEs).
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stigma has prevented the creation of adequate supports, and contributes to the re-traumatization of families.
THE STIGMA:
Stigma harms not only those who use drugs or alcohol, but also harms their family, including many children. As frontline staff, we may unintentionally project our biases onto families which can prevent their healing. As such, it is important we reflect on our own discomforts, assumptions and reactions when it comes to substance use and addictions.
Stigma is defined as negative attitudes and beliefs about a group of people and includes judging, labeling, isolating, which ultimately leads to discrimination.
It is often communicated through our body language and tone and may not even be recognized by the person causing it.
Stigma can be so deeply rooted in our society that it becomes ingrained in institutional policies and practices.
According to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, 8/10 Canadians with a substance use disorder say they experienced barriers to recovery and healing, including stigma. This stigma impacts not only the quality of and access to healthcare services, but also impacts the creation of policies and services that dictate treatment accessibility.
Stigma also impacts children who have a parent with an addiction in various ways including: witnessing society's behaviours towards their parents, listening to the language used when speaking of individual's who have an addiction, and through the limited number of supports offered to their families. All of these together, contribute to children internalizing their experiences and emotions, and may prevent them from reaching out for support as they get older.
2 hour training
Starlings Founder Agnes Chen marries her personal experience with the stigma of a parent's addiction to the current literature on stigma.
Starlings
TRAINING:
our communities
opportunity to heal a family's inherited
stigma.
STIGMA IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
"Reducing stigma is key to effectively addressing problematic substance use, and is a critical step in recognizing the fundamental rights and dignity of all Canadians, including those who use substances."
Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Government of Canada, 2018
READ THE REPORT BELOW:
Substance use stigma prevents the availability of support for parents and their children, from individuals being offered compassion and care, and ultimately, contributes to cycles of stress and trauma in families.
Read the Starling's Community Report below:
LEARN ABOUT THE STATISTICS AND THE SCIENCE BEHIND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND ENSURE YOUR LEARNING INCLUDES THE VOICES OF THOSE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE.
