Vancouver: Nearly 8 million people in Canada live with chronic pain, which is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization.
Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, has announced funding for the expansion of the Pain Canada Network by the Pain BC Society (Pain BC) as well as enhanced supports for people living with chronic pain both in British Columbia and across Canada.
Funding of up to $4.5 million over five years has been approved for Pain BC’s project entitled: “Developing a Pain Canada Network and Expanding Best Practice Education and Training Programs Across Canada”. This initiative will expand the Pain Canada Network, enhance national collaboration, scale up best practices and expand resources for people living with pain.
Pain BC is also receiving more than $520,000 over 18 months for their project “Making Sense of Pain: An Intersectional Program Adaptation and Pilot”. This project will help improve access to care and services for people in British Columbia’s 2SLGBTQIA+ as well as Chinese, Punjabi and Arabic speaking communities living with chronic pain.
Carolyn Bennett said: “Chronic pain interferes with day-to-day activities and being able to fully participate in the things one loves to do. Our Government is committed to helping Canadians living with this often invisible medical condition by continuing our work with people who live with pain, as well as our partners and stakeholders supporting them. Today’s funding to Pain BC for the expansion of the Pain Canada network, will help many Canadians affected by chronic pain access services and resources that can bring them relief and help them live fuller, happier lives.”
Maria Hudspith Executive Director, Pain BC, said:
“This investment will continue the momentum created by decades of tireless advocacy, the work of the Canadian Pain Task Force, and by the thousands of stakeholders across the country who engaged with it over its three year mandate. This is an important step towards ensuring all people with pain in Canada have access to the support, care and connection they need, no matter where they live in this country.”
• Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts or recurs for more than three months. People living with chronic pain often face a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges. The pain may first emerge as a symptom of an injury or other health condition, but it can also occur without underlying illness. Women, seniors, veterans and Indigenous populations, are disproportionally affected by chronic pain.
