RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

Based on our value to “continually learn and educate… [and be] guided by lived experience and evidence-based knowledge”, we collaborate with scientists and participate in research projects.

The findings of two of these projects are shared here.

STOPPING THE HARM: PSYCHOSOCIAL OUTCOMES OF FAMILIES OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC

In 2020 we partnered with UBC researcher Jamie Piercy in a study that looked at the characteristics and perceived needs of families affected by the overdose crisis. Our role was in recruiting participants and among the 354 respondents were many MSTH members.

The study looked at the health outcomes of families affected by substance use, including those who had lost a loved one (70%) and those with a loved one actively using (30%).

The study asked the question “How are loved ones doing, emotionally, socially and physically"?” and found that:

Participants reported elevated rates of depression, anxiety and reduced efficacy in managing emotions.
Nearly half reported feeling stigma or judged by peers after the death of their loved one.
Drug-related harms and the loss of a loved one were related to high levels of grief and subsequent physical health changes.
Those with living loved ones reported higher levels of anxiety, financial strain, and helplessness than the bereaved, who reported less happiness and meaning in daily life.

Families reported cost, access, stigma and the COVID-19 pandemic as barriers to receiving adequate supports. Overall families show high rates of emotional and physical health concerns and those with a loved one still struggling are at ongoing risk. Family members are motivated for treatment despite the reported barriers. Focused study and target supports are required.

Stopping the Harm - Study Summary

Stopping The Harm Findings - Full Report

MOTHER’S STORIES OF ADVOCACY - Following their Child’s Substance Passing - Research Project

In 2021, our project was the recipient of the Excellence in Community-Campus Research Partnership award, from Community-Based Research Canada (CBRCanada), a national award sponsored by SSHRC.

University researchers and parent advocates, including members of MSTH came together to participate in the first Canadian qualitative research project about parent advocacy following substance use death.

Members of MSTH contributed to this project in a number of ways. MSTH co-founder Petra Schulz was a research partner, together with parent advocates Donna May (mumsDU) and Jennifer Woodside (Voice of the Family). They recruited 43 Canadian mothers who lost a child to substance use, who were interviewed by the researchers for this project. Many of the mothers interviewed were members of MSTH, but also included members of other family advocacy groups and individual advocates.

Project final report

The research developed this report to share the results of our work with community partners and stakeholders, as well as research participants in 2020. This report provides the background for the study, a high-level summary of what we found, how we are sharing our research with researchers and the community, and what we plan to do next.

Contact Moms Stop The Harm (info[at]MomsStopTheHarm) with any questions about this project. We are happy to connect you with any of the research partners and principal investigators.

MOTHER’S STORIES OF ADVOCACY - Final Report

Knowledge Translation Project #SeeTheLives

In partnership with four parent advocates the research team also produced a video series, the #SeeTheLives project, and website to share insights from our research. This knowledge translation project #SeeTheLives featured three moms and one dad (Phil Haug, husband of co-founder Lorna Thomas, Petra Schulz and Kym Porter,MSTH, and Donna May, mumsDU), reading letters to their children. “This is what we’d say if only we still had the chance.” The project includes four videos and a study guide and the research team encourages anyone who might benefit from hearing these stories to make use of the materials.

Publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Bereaved mothers’ engagement in drug policy reform: A multisite qualitative analysis. By Emily Jenkins (UBC), Allie Slemon (UBC), Heather Morris (UofA), Elaine Hyshka (UofA), Petra Schulz (MSTH) and Rebecca J. Haines-Saah (UpfC). Published in the International Journal of Drug Policy. (October, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103011

Podcasts

Crackdown Episode 4: “Blame” (featured interviews with Petra Schulz & Rebecca Haines-Saah). CRACKDOWN is a monthly podcast from Executive Producer Garth Mullins about drugs, drug policy and the drug war led by drug user activists and supported by research.

In this podcast Garth Mullins explores the question: “Who is to blame when someone dies?” Are those we call the “dealers” at fault? How do grieving families and friends process their loss? Some call for jail sentences, while others turn grief to advocacy.