THUNDER BAY — Helping those caring for young people who may need help with substance abuse is at the heart of a new initiative by the local health unit.
The Parents Like Us handbook was first released earlier in June, said Stephanie Diebolt, a public health nurse on the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s substance use health team. It was adapted from an existing publication written by parents in Victoria B.C. Diebolt said local research identified the need for a similar resource here that would help those caring for others.
“We know youth in the Thunder Bay district continue to face lots of pressures like mental health, toxic drug supply, community violence, et cetera,” she said.
“So, we started the adaptation process through the substance use health team and co-created a local resource with caregivers.”
While primarily aimed at those looking after teenagers up to age 30 or so, Diebolt said the information can be applied much more broadly. It covers the whole spectrum of substances that can be abused, including stimulants (like cocaine and amphetamines), depressants (alcohol), opioids, cannabinoids, and others.
“We've actually realized that it's been great for any caregiver — whether a parent, grandparent … support person, sibling — supporting a person with substance use, including caregivers and parents of adult children,” she said. “We've been told that it's been very helpful.”
“Really, it's a book that has enough practical guidance that could be relevant to anyone.”
Parents Like Us is divided into nine chapters, covering everything from fundamental information on substance use, identifying when it could be becoming a problem and wide-ranging information on overdoses, to navigating various systems, self-care, and dealing with family relationships.
Diebolt said one chapter the local handbook added on top of the original publication is a section of youth voices — a collection of artwork and other insights provided by young people with lived experience.
“They got to tell us how they want to be supported and then that was translated into the book as its own chapter,” she said.
“That's a very special part of the book too that, really, it could stand on its own as its own resource, but it's nice to have it embedded in the book and we'll definitely be highlighting that more.”
Diebolt said it’s a very important perspective for caregivers to see.
“It's basically empowering (youth) voices to say ‘this is what's worked for me, this is what I need,’ and elevate their voices,” she said. “When parents read it, it's coming from a youth voice, it's not coming from Stephanie the nurse or, so-and-so the social worker.”
The art-heavy focus was so young people and, in some cases, caregivers who had a tough time expressing things in words also had an outlet, Diebolt added.
She said the goal is to educate and work to break down communication barriers between parents and guardians and those they’re caring for.
“Our hope is that caregivers feel less alone and more supported and better equipped to help their youth safely,” Diebolt said. “Oftentimes youth, so they've told us, they feel a lot of judgement and shame going to their families for support — they often go to peers or elsewhere, (including) online.”
“We hope that this resource starts more conversations about substance use that are rooted in empathy, not judgement, connection, (and) support.”
The handbook is available online and for free at all Thunder Bay District Health Unit offices across its catchment area, Diebolt said. She added they’ve also distributed it to various family and youth-centred organizations and those that deal with substance use.
