ABOUT THE PROJECT
In 2020, the CGB Centre for Traumatic Life Losses was funded through the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and the Vancouver Foundation to host the BC Heads Together Think Tank. This project hosted four virtual events which were streamed across British Columbia.
The final recommendations included:
Research
Research is needed to determine best practices in serving brain injury survivors with concurrent mental health conditions and substance use/addiction issues.
Education & Training
Health and community service providers require education and training on these intersections.
Addressing barriers
Mitigate barriers to accessing mental health or substance use/addiction services.
Both the ministry and the foundation listened and have generously funded a three-year Participatory Action Research Grant and BC Consensus Building Days.
Research
Capturing the breadth and depth of knowledge required to develop a Consensus Priority Statement.
Although there is research on brain injury following Concussion Sport, Homelessness, and Intimate Partner Violence, there is no research regarding recovery services for people with brain injury who are experiencing mental health, and substance use/addiction issues. The results of the 20202 Canadian Agency Drug & Technology in Health (CADTH) environmental scan determined more research is needed to determine best practices in serving individuals with brain injury and concurrent mental health conditions and substance use/addiction challenges.
This multi-year research project combined with community engagement through surveys, questionnaires, 1:1 interviews, online forums, in-person Consensus Building Days (streamed province-wide simultaneously) and ongoing research will capture the breadth and depth of knowledge required to develop a Consensus Priority Statement.
Knowledge Exchange
It has been more than a decade since survivors, families, service providers, community stakeholders and professionals could gather to network, exchange knowledge and information on the lived experience of individuals and families living with the outcome of a brain injury, potential best practices, and emerging research.
This project will improve province-wide communication and knowledge exchange and provide research data needed from smaller and more remote communities.
BC Consensus Building Days
The purpose of the research and BC Consensus Building Days is to gather, in a good faith effort, the perspectives, ideas, and values of healthcare providers, community stakeholders, and individuals/families including Indigenous groups and marginalized minorities with lived experience of the intersections of brain injury, mental health, and addictions, to reach a Consensus on the priorities and solutions needed to best serve people experiencing the intersections of brain injury, mental health, and addictions in British Columbia.
Each year our event will explore the issues, challenges, and solutions of these intersections as well as taking a closer look at specific focus points. They are as follows:
Year One
October 14, 2022
Exploring the Intersections of Mental Health, Addictions, and Brain Injury with a focus on Overdose Survival.
Year Two
June 15, 2023
Exploring the Intersections of Mental Health, Addictions, and Brain Injury with a focus on Intimate Partner Violence and Brain Injury.
Year Three
June 13, 2024
Exploring the Intersections of Mental Health, Addictions, and Brain Injury with a focus on Sports-Related Concussion.
The events will be guided by an external facilitator and include round table discussions, presentations from experts, and invitations to vote on key priorities addressing mental health, substance use/addictions, and brain injury.
Year One Participants:
Sheila Beauchemin, Facilitator
Sheila Beauchemin has been an independent management consultant and facilitator for the past 18 years following a career in the BC public service. Sheila was certified as a professional facilitator by the International Association of Facilitators in 2011. She has designed and delivered team meetings, policy forums, leadership retreats, prioritization exercises, and strategic planning processes to groups ranging in size from six to over 200.
Sheila helps groups harvest their innate wisdom to achieve tangible results and leave meetings feeling energized about the conversation and motivated to take action. She has had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of organizations including provincial ministries, private sector businesses and not for profits delivering vital social services in our communities.
Elizabeth Plant, Speaker
Elizabeth Plant BA MD CCFP dISAM
As a longtime resident of the Cowichan Valley. After completion of the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use addiction medicine fellowship, I have returned to Cowichan.
Currently, my roles include the Cowichan District Addiction Medicine Consult Service (AMCS), AMCS Community, outreach at the overdose prevention site, and in developing substance use supports for youth.
My interest in acquired brain injury in the setting of opioid overdose occurred after several clinical encounters with young, otherwise healthy folks who have been irrevocably changed by their overdose.
As part of my fellowship training, I began exploring the scant research available regarding hypoxic brain injury and opioid overdose.
I feel honoured to be involved in this program, which helps to shine a light on this significant issue, which is underreported and little understood. As a substance use physician by training, my contributions to the field of acquired brain injury are from that lens.
Anticipated Outcome
A BC Consensus Statement on Brain Injury and the Intersections of Mental Health and Addictions which:
- Identify concerns related to brain injury, including the intersections of mental health & substance use/addiction, intimate partner violence, homelessness, incarceration, and the opioid crisis.
- Identify priorities and explore solutions to produce the best possible decisions to serve individuals and families living with the outcome of a brain injury, and mental health and substance use/addiction challenges in British Columbia.
- Implement and evaluated evidence-based and patient-driven programs to improve health for people with brain injury, mental health issues, and substance use/addiction challenges.
- Increase public awareness on the intersections of brain injury, mental health, and substance use/addictions.
- Increased education and training opportunities about the intersections of brain injury mental health and substance use/addiction challenges for frontline workers, service providers, healthcare professionals, and clinicians in brain injury, mental health, and substance use/addiction services including how to screen for a brain injury and best practices.
- Increased understanding of the priorities for research and community programs for future partners projects and joint funding opportunities to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for people living with a brain injury, mental health, and substance use/addiction challenges.
Recruitment Process
Our work will establish a shared community and research agenda. Stakeholders will include researchers, community leaders, policymakers, and most importantly, individuals and people with lived experience.
The recruitment process will follow Best Practices in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Research as recommended by the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) and the Canadian research Coordinating Committee (CRCC). Recruitment materials will be shared with equity-representative groups supporting Indigenous groups and marginalized minorities such as LGBTQ2S+, BIPOC, and individuals living with a disability and other health needs for feedback.
If you or your organisation would like more information, please email headstogetherthinktank@gmail.com.