November 7, 2022 | Vancouver, British Columbia | Health Canada
Nearly eight million Canadians live with chronic pain, which is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization. Chronic pain can affect people of all ages, and can take a significant toll on a person's physical and mental health. It can also affect people's quality of life, preventing them from socializing, doing activities they enjoy, or even working. Some populations in Canada, such as women, seniors, veterans and Indigenous populations, are disproportionally affected by chronic pain.
Today, as part of National Pain Awareness Week, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, 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 available for people living with chronic 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 who are living with chronic pain.
The Government of Canada is committed to better understanding, preventing and managing chronic pain. By advancing these efforts, we can help to enhance the mental well-being and quality of life for people with chronic pain and those who help care for them.
