Lets Talk! International Overdose Awareness Day

[EMMI]

International Overdose Awareness Day

The 31st of August is International Overdose Awareness Day. Overdose can affect anyone, and can occur at any time, unexpectedly. The purpose of the day is to provide a space for people to come together and remember anyone they have lost to overdose, share their own experiences and help break down the stigma around substance use.

We’re opening up this thread as a space for people to come together and share their stories and experiences, pay tribute to those they’ve lost and to offer support and comfort.

We as a community are here to support each other. We recognise that this may be a difficult day for many.

For more information about International Overdose Awareness day you can check out the website here - https://www.overdoseday.com/ and share a tribute.

For information on prevention of overdose, please see our latest blog here https://www.counsellingonline.org.au/bl ... lic-safety on Medically Supervised injecting Facilities.

[ScorpionPW]

This is such an important topic so thanks for sharing @EMMI...

Today there was a beautiful gathering at my workplace for International Overdose Awareness Day where we planted a tree and wrote the names of those who we'd lost on stoned and placed them around the tree. This was followed by a nice lunch that was catered for and a lot of heartfelt, pleasant conversation and connection.

I felt so grateful to be able to be present for such an event and had many memories flooding through my mind of many people I have known who addiction has taken from spending more than a decade in a recovery community.

Although it was emotional, it was a real privelege to be able to take a moment to pause, reflect and witness a safe space being created for people to mourn, spread awareness and acknowledge the humaness of those who suffer from addiction. It felt like a real collective energy that contributes to the minimisation of stigma and helps to shed light on a lot of myths about people who use substances.

I'm wondering what other peoples experiences of the day was and if there's any stories anybody feels comfortable to share in acknowledgement of this day and those whom we have lost?

[EMMI]

Thanks for sharing @ScorpionPW. What a lovely tribute that you all held at your workplace. I think planting a tree is such a nice idea.
Sounds like a very heartfelt and supportive day but no doubt emotional.
So important to shed light on addiction, so that we can continue to reduce the stigma, be supportive, acknowledge those we have lost and create the conversations for change.