THRIVE workshops being offered to Nova Scotians living with chronic pain

Dec 12, 2023

ARTICLE

Back by popular demand, the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division will offer two THRIVE workshops focused on the mental health impact of living with chronic pain. 

Approximately 185,000 Nova Scotians live with chronic pain.

Amber Chinn is one of them, and, as she explains, it has a significant impact on her mental health. 

Chinn lives with Fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by widespread pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. 

“A good day just means it’s manageable and doesn’t get in my way too much, as you can imagine, that leads to stress, depression and feeling really isolated at times.”

Chinn says there are limited supports available to Nova Scotians living with chronic pain – especially for those who do not have a family doctor. 

On January 11, Chinn will facilitate Chronic Pain and Mental Health, followed by Self-Advocacy, Resources and Support for Chronic Pain and Mental Health on January 18. 

The two upcoming workshops are a continuation of a workshop series focused on chronic pain that she led through CMHA NS last January. 

That series, which attracted 287 Nova Scotians, was an attempt to  help “fill the support gap.” 

Since that series and subsequent peer support group concluded, Chinn and CMHA NS have received an “outpouring of requests” for another series of workshops. 

“People spoke out and we heard them, loud and clear – this is something that Nova Scotians not only want, but are asking for and I’m thrilled to be able to team up with CMHA NS and offer these workshops,” she adds. 

“There isn’t a cure for chronic pain, but we know that we can drastically improve how it is experienced when we give people a better understanding of what resources are available, how to self-advocate, and what is within their control.” 

“At its core,” she emphasizes, “these workshops are about trying to empower people.”

Chronic Pain and Mental Health will be offered through THRIVE on January 11, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. REGISTER HERE

Self-Advocacy, Resources and Support for Chronic Pain and Mental Health will be offered through THRIVE on January 18, 2024 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Zoom. REGISTER HERE

The workshops are open to all Nova Scotians who live with chronic pain and will be held virtually via Zoom. The workshops are free to attend but those wishing to participate are asked to register in advance. 

About Amber Chinn: Amber Chinn is a mental health and disability advocate dedicated to increasing the conversation and resources for those living with chronic pain.

Her passion for this work has grown over the past six years since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and experiencing first-hand the lack of resources, accessibility and awareness within her community.

Amber is currently a Master’s in Counselling Psychology student at Yorkville University.

Donate to THRIVE

THRIVE is generously supported by The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, the Zed Charity Classic and Brie-lliant Boxes.

As a not-for-profit charitable organization, we rely on the generosity of those who give what they can to keep our programs running and remain accessible. Donations to THRIVE allow CMHA NS to offer these workshops completely free of charge.

Since its launch in February, 2022, approximately 1,683 Nova Scotians have accessed THRIVE workshops.

By supporting this program you are helping more Nova Scotians support and understand their own mental health. This helps more Nova Scotians stay out of crisis and out of emergency rooms.

If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.