Women and substance use

Profiles the development of single-access programs for supporting pregnant and parenting women who use substances in four different communities, and talks about why this type of program works. Single-access programs seek to provide a range of services under one roof (a “one-stop shop” or “single-access” model), address women’s needs from a holistic perspective, provide practical and emotional support, and strive to reduce barriers to accessing care and support. Each of these four programs also started as a unique network of cross-sectoral partnerships that developed a common vision, values, and goals.

Summarizes the results of a study on the feasibility of integrating tobacco treatment and support within mental health, addictions and sexual violence services, in a gender informed way. The study included focus groups with service providers and with smokers, and a review of the literature on tobacco cessation in the mental health, substance use, and trauma treatment fields. Found that smokers who use mental health, substance use, and sexual violence services are generally knowledgeable about the harms of smoking, and the majority are interested in quitting.

An online tool to help people learn about trauma-informed approaches and practices in Canada. Features an overview of four topics related to “trauma-informed” approaches when working with women with mental health and substance use concerns, along with highlights of promising practices, policy challenges and thoughts of where to go next.  Under each of the four topics you’ll find: examples of trauma informed work in action, links to recommended readings, links to  curricula and training resources, and web resources, links to webcasts on the topics.

Originally published by CWHN in May 2006 prior to the tabling of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology’s final report Out of the Shadows at Last: Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness, and Addiction Services in Canada. Updated and revised report discusses why sex and gender matter in mental health and addictions and includes information and recommendations for the new Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Guide for organizations that serve women with addictions to help them them in making decisions about participating in research. Summarizes findings from a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)-funded study lead by Dr. Amy Salmon that examined how to better support the active and meaningful participation of women with substance use problems in health research.

Guide for women with addictions for making decisions about participating in research. Summarizes findings from a Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)-funded study lead by Dr. Amy Salmon that examined how to better support the active and meaningful participation of women with substance use problems in health research.