September is Pain Awareness Month

Published: September 11, 2023

Shedding light on the silent suffering

September is a month that signifies the end of summer, the beginning of fall, and for many, the return to routines and responsibilities. However, September also holds another important role—it’s Pain Awareness Month. This dedicated month seeks to raise awareness about the silent and often misunderstood epidemic of chronic pain.

Graphic, pain isn't always black or white

Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is not just a physical sensation; it’s a life-altering experience that affects millions of people worldwide. It is typically defined as pain that persists for at least 12 weeks, beyond the expected time for healing. Chronic pain can result from various underlying conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and many others. It doesn’t discriminate by age, gender, or background and can strike anyone at any time.

Chronic pain affects more Americans adults than heart disease,cancer and diabetes combined ~ Stanford Institute of Medicine

Chronic Pain is Like a Car With Four Flat Tires

One of the greatest challenges with chronic pain is its invisibility. Unlike a visible injury or illness, chronic pain is often hidden beneath the surface, leaving those who suffer from it feeling isolated and misunderstood. This can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness. Friends, family members, and even healthcare providers may not fully grasp the extent of the suffering endured by those with chronic pain.

Pain Awareness Month is a vital initiative aimed at addressing the challenges of those who suffer with chronic pain. It serves several essential purposes:

Education: It provides an opportunity to educate the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers about the complexities of chronic pain, its various causes, and the importance of effective pain management.
Empowerment: By raising awareness, Pain Awareness Month empowers individuals living with chronic pain to seek help, connect with support networks, and advocate for their needs.
Research and Advocacy: It supports research efforts to better understand and treat chronic pain and advocates for policies that improve access to pain management resources.

Living with pain

If you are living with chronic pain, or caring for a family member who is, listed below are a list of organizations, information and helpful resources.

Pain BC is a registered charity that is transforming the way chronic pain is understood and treated.

Making Sense of Pain Making is a self-management program designed for people with pain who experience marginalization and face barriers to accessing care.

American Chronic Pain Association The mission of the ACPA is to facilitate peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families so that these individuals may live more fully in spite of their pain, and to raise awareness among the health care community, policymakers, and the public at large about issues of living with chronic pain.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Published: May 5, 2023

Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being. Making mental health care and support a regular part of our lives is a valuable gift that we can give to both ourselves and future generations.

Mental health is as important as physical health

We may all require mental health assistance at various times during our lifetime.In the years since we established Tri- City Psychology Services, seeking help has become more normalised, however there still is a way to go.

Getty Images

A significant obstacle preventing people from seeking mental health assistance is the social stigma surrounding mental illness. However, it is essential to remember that there is no shame in seeking out a compassionate and understanding listener. Often, simply having someone listen to our concerns and explore potential solutions can make all the difference in improving our mental health.

There are many things we can do to strengthen our mental health and improve our overall well-being. Here are some strategies to consider:

Practice self-care: Self-care involves taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental needs. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and making time for activities you enjoy.

Build resilience: Resilience is the ability to recover from adverse change. By gaining some knowledge about how our minds work, we can improve our ability to handle our emotions in a healthy way, leading to increased resilience and overall well-being. Resilience isn’t about feeling good all the time. It’s also about learning to cope psychologically with the bad things. It takes a toolbox of different things to be healthy Seek out support from friends, family, or mental health professionals to help you navigate difficult times.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You can practice mindfulness through activities like meditation¹ , deep breathing, or yoga. Why Should I Meditate~ Sam Harris

Connect with others: Social support is essential for maintaining good mental health. Make time for social activities and reach out to friends and family for support when you need it.

Seek professional help: If you are struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional. Therapy, medication, or a combination of both can be effective in treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

Set realistic goals: Setting and achieving goals can help you feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. However, it’s important to set goals that are realistic and achievable to avoid feelings of failure or disappointment.

² Research has also shown that the overuse of devices and social media can be linked to an increase in loneliness as well as depression in teens.

²Limit screen time: Excessive screen time can contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. American Psychological Association Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence, Make sure to take breaks from electronic devices and spend time engaging in other activities.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. By prioritizing self-care, building resilience, and seeking support when needed, you can strengthen your mental health and improve your overall well-being.

Do you have a query or problem that you would like to talk about, or are you curious to hear more about how we can help you?

Whatever you want achieve through therapy our caring team is ready to help.

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Canada Life eclaims

Published: May 3, 2023

Tri-City Psychology Services will soon be able to submit electronic claims on behalf of clients that are covered under the PSHCP.

The Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP)

Effective July 1, 2023, Canada Life will administer the Public Service Health Care Plan (PSHCP). This means as the health care provider, we can submit electronic claims via TELUS eClaims on behalf of our clients covered under the PSHCP.

What does this mean for you? When we process your TELUS eClaims, it reduces your out-of-pocket expenses and you don’t have to do any paperwork.

April is Stress Awareness Month

Published: April 17, 2023

Stress Awareness Month is a yearly event observed in April to raise awareness about the impact of stress on our health and wellbeing. The main objective of this event is to educate people about the causes, effects, and coping mechanisms of stress.

During Stress Awareness Month, individuals and organizations around the world organize various activities such as workshops, seminars, webinars, and social media campaigns to promote awareness about stress management. The event aims to encourage people to take action to reduce stress in their lives by adopting healthy lifestyle habits and seeking professional help when needed.

The event was first observed in 1992 by the Health Resource Network (HRN) in the United States. Since then, it has been recognized by various organizations, including mental health associations, wellness centers, and universities, as a way to raise awareness about stress and its impact on our physical and mental health.

In summary, Stress Awareness Month is an annual event that seeks to educate people about stress, its causes, effects, and coping mechanisms, and encourages individuals to take steps to manage stress in their lives.

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