Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), are an organization of families whose loved ones have passed away or who are struggling with drug use (momsstoptheharm.com). In the absence of formal support for families, MSTH was created in 2015 by three mothers who had lost sons to drug harms. Their primary goals are to support families who struggle with grief or the stress of having a loved one in drug use, and advocate for better drug policies that support the lives of those who use drugs.
MSTH are currently supporting 1,460 families strong across Canada, including over 800 in BC, and growing. However, we know that there are hundreds, or even thousands, more families in BC who may benefit from greater support.
MSTH has received funding from the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions to establish Stronger Together, a project to bring together all BC families who have been impacted by drug harms and addiction.
The goals of Stronger Together are to:
Provide greater support to families impacted by substance use in every BC community, driven by their needs and priorities.
Continue to improve and expand MSTH family-led support groups in every community that needs them: Healing Hearts for those who have lost a loved one to drug harms, and Holding Hope (website to come), for those who have a loved one struggling with drug use or are in recovery.
Train and build capacity of families with lived experience who are interested in facilitating support groups in their community.
Report back to the BC government on the gaps and resources needed to help families find balance and peace within these struggles.
If you are interested please connect with MSTH:
Connect your clients and families who would be interested in joining or facilitating a family-led support group in their community. They can email strongertogether@momsstoptheharm.com
Share this survey with the people you serve to help us understand what family-led support needs have been met or not met in their community. It is anonymous, short, and to the point.
Forward this information to other agencies in your region, as we want to ensure the widest reach to families like us who would benefit from peer support during this time.
Leslie McBain
Co-Founder, Moms Stop the Harm
250 629 6490
BC Stronger Together Project
Moms Stop the Harm