We are pleased to announce that SAOT is one of 29 organizations approved for an Opioid Awareness Grant issued by the Government of Alberta. 

Through a competitive process, SAOT was awarded $31,000 for the project – Finding Meaning & Building Resilience: Supporting Effective Self-management of Chronic Pain. SAOT will contract with Bonnie Klassen, an occupational therapist with expertise in pain management and mental health, to work with SAOT Executive Director, Robin Telasky, to develop an interactive web site and e-News for registered subscribers. 

The project is intended for individuals with opioid addiction or dependence for pain management, who are thinking about making changes to reduce or eliminate opioid use.

Main Messages

• Identification of values and guided reflection on meaning and purpose boost commitment to change behaviours, even when change is difficult. 
• Self-reflective tools will be used to shift attention from negative thoughts and feelings and pain and focus on individual values, strengths, abilities, past successes, and to reflect on why change matters. 
• The individualized pain management action plan will provide guidance and reinforce commitment to small, sustainable changes over time.
• Subscribers will receive regular e-News to provide ongoing support and encouragement along with seasonal or topical coping tips. Links to the website will highlight case examples and discussion topics to decrease feelings of isolation and create a sense of community.
• The web site will have links and resources to help users find healthcare professionals, online pain education, discussion groups, and additional self-management support.

Key Goals/Outcomes
• Creation of self-management support web resources targeting women and families with pain and with concerns about opioid use and addiction.
• Web site motivational interview questions will reinforce participants’ commitment to change by providing an opportunity to reflect on their unique personal qualities and strengths. These will be highlighted in an individualized summary of their values, strengths, challenges, and reasons to change. 
• With examples, participants will be helped to identify personal goals and a pain management action plan.

Stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative!

About the Opioid Awareness Grants Program

The opioid crisis is causing an alarming and growing number of emergency department visits and deaths in Alberta. It affects communities, families and Albertans from all walks of life. Anyone can be affected by the harms of opioid use and the stigma around drug use is a key barrier that prevents people from accessing services.

To raise awareness and educate Albertans about the opioid crisis, Alberta Health provided $1.4 million in grants to 29 community organizations to fund projects that use unique and creative approaches to:
• reduce stigma associated with opioid use
• point people to where they can get treatment or overdose reversal kits
• educate families, friends and neighbours on how they can potentially save a life

Read more about the funded projects here. 

Grant Recipients

The 29 successful recipients received grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

Each grant proposal was independently reviewed by three individuals and was scored based on:

- geographic representation across the province
- its ability to reach demographic groups most impacted by the opioid crisis
- its uniqueness/creativity
- its ability to address stigma and support harm-reduction initiatives

The projects will:

- engage one or more groups associated with opioid and/or fentanyl crisis
- include or consult with people who have lived experience with the opioid crisis in project design and/or educational products
- reflect the harm-reduction and anti-stigma stance supported by the Government of Alberta
- use unique and creative approaches

The final list of proposed projects was reviewed by people with lived experience, as well as additional staff from Indigenous Relations.