During National Pain Awareness Week, Pain Canada is hosting Putting the Pieces Together: A conference for and by people with pain. The conference takes place online from November 6-12, 2023 and registration is free.

Among many other topics relevant to people living with pain, the event will include sessions focused on pain care across the age spectrum, music and chronic pain, a panel on equity and diversity in chronic pain, federal efforts to improve pain care in Canada, and somatic awareness in pain management.

The conference is the vision of a steering committee made up entirely of people living with pain, with the aim of connecting and mobilizing a national community to realize the shared goal of a dramatically improved system of care and support for people with pain.

The past year was a remarkable one in Pain BC’s history, with our programs and initiatives growing and reaching more communities in BC and across Canada. Read our latest annual report to learn more about our expanding programs, new projects and increasing impact in the lives of people with pain. None of this work

would be possible without you — our champions, supporters, collaborators, donors, and volunteers.

If you live with pain in BC, our support groups are a chance to connect with others, share coping strategies and learn about pain management while building a community. Groups are free to attend and meet online via Zoom videoconferencing. You can also join via phone.

Accessing timely, appropriate and multidisciplinary care for chronic pain can be a challenge for many people. This is especially true for people with pain who use(d) substances such as alcohol or drugs. In this free webinar presented by Pain Canada, three panelists will discuss the impact of stigma, general approaches to pain management for people who use(d) substances, and what healthcare providers can do to combat stigma and reduce barriers to care. 

Back-to-school is right around the corner. If you have a child living with juvenile arthritis, explaining their needs to teachers, coaches and peers can feel overwhelming. Cassie + Friends is offering a free webinar for parents and guardians of children with rheumatic diseases, featuring tips from experts as well as an opportunity to fill out a personalized 'School Action Plan' alongside an Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, School Principle and JA parent.

Funded by Health Canada, the Power Over Pain Portal offers free, science-backed online resources for the management of pain, as well as mental health and substance use health. Created in response to Health Canada's Action Plan for Pain in Canada, resources include articles, videos, podcasts, courses, workshops and peer support for both youth and adults.

Located at the University of Manitoba, the IN∙GAUGE research program is inviting youth aged 12-34 to participate in a study which aims to advance patient-centred care in young people living with pain. Participants will share their experiences with chronic pain, create art (such as music, video, painting), meet other young people living with chronic pain, and help teach doctors, teachers, and family about what young people need. For more information, email ingauge@umanitoba.ca or call 204-481-4994.

If you live with pain, does it change throughout the day? The CircaPain research team is studying how time of day impacts pain and wants to hear about your experience. This study is open to all adults who have had persistent pain for more than three months. Learn more and take the survey on CircaPain's website: circapain.ca.