nursingforsocialjustice

There seem to be two parallel discussions happening in all the talk of the opiate crisis. One is about drug prohibition and the effects. The other is about the way that we are currently addressing substance use issues. I am not sure that addressing both of these questions separately is…

More and more I think that when we say that someone is “not ready for treatment” what we are really saying is that we, as clinicians, do not know how to best help this person right now, or that our service, as it currently exists, does not fit their needs…

The idea of someone being ready for treatment of their substance use addiction is bogus. It’s also bogus to think that because a structured service that is already entrenched in tradition doesn’t fit the needs of a person then they just must not be ready yet and they can come…

I am disappointed in myself. I am disappointed by the harm that we do that we just accept. Because at the same time that we are experiencing violence we are also inflicting in. What the hell are we doing when we demand less violence in a society where we know…

I suspect something. As there is an increase in people who contact the inpatient mental health system on an involuntary basis and and increase in people who come into contact with the system who are living with substance use and mental health disorders, as there is still pervasive moral judgement…

This week I attended a Harm Reduction conference in Edmonton, AB. I started off optimistic, hopeful, transitioned to moments of feeling discouraged, but also felt invigorated as sparks of new ideas were ignited. But, I ultimately left feeling sad, a bit disillusioned and kind of lost. I left feeling shitty…mostly…

I am currently attending the Internatinal Society for the Study of Drug Policy Conference. The conference location is the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. I have some feelings brewing. I am going to express them now. I invite you to come along this journey of self-reflection and judgement with me.…

If you work in mental health and you do not know the meanings of the words transference and counter transference, and/or you do not know what the implications for experiencing transference or counter transference are on your practice please look them up. Understanding of both are integral to your nursing…

If an intervention is being used, it is important to know the safest way. http://www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca/en/education/PatientSafetyEducationProgram/PatientSafetyEducationCurriculum/MentalHealthModules/Pages/Mental-Health-Care-Seclusion-and-Restraint.aspx Click to access Restraint_Use_and_Other_Control_Interventions_AIB_EN.pdf https://www.crpnbc.ca/practice-support/topics-in-depth/restraint-and-seclusion/ https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2016/medical-legal-implications-when-using-restraints Click to access restraints.pdf Can restraint be a trauma informed practice? Many would argue that because it is a last resort intervention for behavioural emergencies that it’s more likely…