Today, the co-chairs of the federal, provincial, and territorial Special Advisory Committee on the Epidemic of Opioid Overdoses – Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, and Dr. Yves Léger, New Brunswick's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health – issued the following statement on the release of the latest monitoring data on opioid- and stimulant-related harms in Canada.
We are in the middle of one of the most serious and unprecedented public heath crises in our country’s history. No community has been left untouched by the toxic drug and overdose crisis with many Canadians losing family members, friends and loved ones.
Respiratory illness season is well underway in Canada. While respiratory infections can occur year-round, it is common to see a significant increase in the fall and winter months. For some areas where the health care system is currently at capacity, these elevated or increasing levels of respiratory illness are already posing significant challenges to hospitals. As a result, it is especially important that we all take steps to protect ourselves and our families at this time of year, including during the holiday season.
Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced a second call for proposals for the Distress Line Equity Fund. The proposal is part of $8 million in federal funding previously announced to address gaps in equity, diversity and inclusion within Canada’s distress line sector.
Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health announced close to $950,000 for the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) to undertake a comprehensive scientific assessment on FASD. The assessment will include a review of the relevant data, literature, policies, programs and practices, and engagement with key partners to identify challenges as well as opportunities to strengthen Canada’s approach to addressing FASD and inform future priorities for action. It is anticipated that the assessment report will be finalized in 2024.
Today, the Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, announced $550,000 in funding to Queen’s University to develop, evaluate and deliver evidence-based, accessible, interactive online training modules on gender-based violence and prevention.
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced almost $250,000 to Parachute Leaders in Injury Prevention (Parachute). This funding supports updates to the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport and other key concussion resources. These updates will consider new recommendations for concussion in sport recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
December 1 marks World AIDS Day and the beginning of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week. We remember those we lost to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and recognize the strength and resilience of those living with HIV. This year's global theme “Let Communities Lead” acknowledges the fundamental role that community organizations play in supporting those at risk of, or affected by, HIV.
Starting November 30, 2023, the 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline, Canada's new, national three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress will be available to everyone in Canada.
