September marks Pain Awareness Month and we want to take this opportunity to highlight the millions of people living with chronic pain. If you are one of these millions of people, know that you are seen and heard and that we recognize the impact of pain on your life. Chronic Pain can be life-changing, debilitating, frustrating, and overwhelming. We are observing Pain Awareness Month by doing the following:
- Raising awareness: Highlighting the stories of people living with chronic pain raises awareness of its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Raising awareness fosters understanding and empathy and emphasizes the urgent need for effective, individualized pain treatment.
- Supporting Individuals and Families: Chronic pain affects not only individuals, but also their loved ones. It’s important for everyone affected by chronic pain to receive adequate support. Independence Now is affiliated with a peer-led support group called Living Positively with Chronic Pain. In this support group, those dealing with chronic pain are encouraged to share their stories and find community among others with shared experiences.
- Seeking to end the stigma associated with chronic pain: People with chronic pain face judgement and invalidation, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and isolation and prevent people from receiving appropriate treatment. Reducing stigma will lead to an improved quality of life for pain patients.
Pain Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness, support individuals and families, and promote understanding. By dedicating this month to those living with pain, we give voice to millions. We hope that our efforts will garner attention that will ultimately impact the way both chronic pain patients and chronic pain itself are treated.
For more information, we encourage you to visit:
- https://www.acpanow.com/pain-awareness.html#:~:text=September%20is%20Pain%20Awareness%20Month&text=ACPA%20established%20Partners%20for%20Understanding,awareness%20is%20to%20get%20involved.
- https://nationalpain.org/
- https://themighty.com/topic/chronic-pain/pain-awareness-month-what-people-with-chronic-pain-want-you-to-learn/
- https://www.meetup.com/living-positively-with-chronic-pain-rockville-area/
