Making connections: Supporting women impacted by violence and substance use and/or mental ill health

Friday, March 30, 2012: 1:25 PM-2:45 PM
Pacific I (San Francisco Marriott Marquis)
Speaker:
Jill Cory, *, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre

Authors:
Louise Godard, MSW, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre
Alexxa Abi-Jaoude, MPH, BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre


Presentation Format:
Innovative/Promising Practice Program Report

Learning Objectives:
  1. Recognize study design and the novel curriculum piloted and evaluated in this research project
  2. Describe changes experienced by study participants over the course of the 12-week period of attending Making Connections Support groups
  3. Describe the elements of this innovative program that study participants found most relevant, helpful and applicable to their complex needs
Description:
Findings from the Building Bridges study highlighted the need for integrated low-barrier support for women with experiences of abuse and substance use and/or mental ill health. Women consistently requested services that address these intersecting issues at the same time. In response to this recommendation, WARP developed, piloted and evaluated two 12-week psychosocial interventions (Making Connections curriculum) in 7 communities in B.C. demonstrating the importance and benefits of providing integrated, low-barrier group support to this underserved and marginalized population of women.