VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
The emotional impacts of harm reduction work
The emotional impacts of harm reduction work
The emotional impacts of harm reduction work
Sunday 21st April 2024
Explore the emotional challenges faced by harm reduction workers amidst the drug toxicity crisis. Gillian Kolla shares insights from her groundbreaking study.
27 minutes
Informative
Compassionate
Honest
Supportive
Eye-opening
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Sobriety Toolkit
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Get the buttons here!The Hidden Emotional Toll on Harm Reduction Workers
Episode Overview
- Harm reduction workers face significant emotional challenges due to the drug toxicity crisis.
- Many part-time workers lack access to basic workplace benefits like counselling and sick leave.
- Employee assistance programs often fail to meet the unique needs of harm reduction workers.
- Recognition of lived experience is crucial in harm reduction work.
- There is an urgent need for specialised mental health supports tailored to these workers.
"It's traumatizing and then there's nothing for workers to deal with that trauma. You just have to go back to work".
Ever wondered about the emotional toll of working on the front lines of harm reduction? This episode of People First Radio dives into just that. Gillian Kolla, an assistant professor at Memorial University, shares her research on the devastating impact the drug toxicity crisis has on harm reduction workers in Toronto. You'll hear about the daily challenges faced by these dedicated individuals, including the lack of workplace benefits and the emotional strain of responding to overdoses.
Gillian's study reveals that many part-time workers don't have access to basic supports like counselling or sick leave, making an already tough job even harder. Even when supports like employee assistance programs are available, they often fall short, leaving workers feeling misunderstood and isolated. Gillian also touches on the importance of recognising all harm reduction workers, whether they come from professional backgrounds or have lived experience with drug use.
This episode sheds light on the urgent need for better mental health supports tailored to the unique challenges faced by harm reduction workers. It’s a raw and honest look at a topic that’s often overlooked but incredibly important. Tune in to understand the human side of harm reduction work and why it's crucial to support those who support others.