What’s Caught Our Attention – February 2020

Rural and Indigenous Overdose Action Exchange

The Rural and Indigenous Overdose Action Exchange (ODAX) report is out! Taking place on October 1-2, 2019, ODAX 2019 was the first gathering to focus on the rural and Indigenous experiences of communities responding to the overdose crisis in British Columbia (BC).

Last year’s Overdose Action Exchange provided an opportunity to focus in on Indigenous and Rural communities throughout British Columbia who are grappling with the impacts of the overdose crisis. The majority of attendees at the one-day event represented small cities, rural towns, and First Nations communities.

The four main conversations guiding the day guide the structure of this report. The summaries, actions and key initiatives included in this report were pulled from the incredible discussion notes captured during the day. Key learnings are shared throughout to support future event planning efforts.

You can read the report here.

Addressing Stigma: Towards a More Inclusive Health System

In December 2019, The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada was released. This report first provides a summary of the overall health of Canadians, including how different populations experience poorer health. The rest of the report focuses on stigma.

The stigma section of the report summarizes themes from 5 discussion groups and 8 key informant interviews, with a range of people across Canada who have expertise in, and experience of, stigma in the health system. Participants included people working in the health system and those who experience different kinds of stigma, such as health-related stigmas, racism, sexual stigma, and gender identity stigma.

You can access and read the report here.

10 Stories of Global Mental Health Impact from 2019

United for Global Mental Health published a roundup of 10 stories of global mental health impact from 2019. Check out the article for some inspiration!

Video: Addiction Matters Kamloops – Photovoice Project

Addiction Matters Kamloops, in partnership Interior Health, has released a PhotoVoice video. Featuring the voices and perspectives of individuals and families with lived experience of substance use in Kamloops, BC, they have a message: we all have the power to end stigma.