Tools
Educate Yourself
What to Say to Your Representatives
Form Letters & Templates
START HERE! Everyone needs to know the facts. How can we educate others if we do not know what facts are the Truth vs Hype?
Form Letters & Templates
What to Say to Your Representatives
Form Letters & Templates
You can use these Templates to Email Federal and State Policy Makers to request a meeting, phone conference or Town Hall event.
What to Say to Your Representatives
What to Say to Your Representatives
What to Say to Your Representatives
Locate & call your State and Federal Representatives.
Tools To Give Your Doctor
Tools To Give Your Doctor
What to Say to Your Representatives
Share this information with Doctors and Medical Professionals & ask pointed questions about how they're being affected by pressure from Government Agencies.
Ask if you can leave some Flyers & Brochures behind & encourage them to join our fight!
Media Contacts
Tools To Give Your Doctor
Advocacy Tools
Here is an updated List and useful links that can be used to contact local & national media sources.
Advocacy Tools
Tools To Give Your Doctor
Advocacy Tools
Advocacy Tools for you.
Click Below for a Guide to Help & Assist you Advocate for Yourself or a Loved One.
Government 101
PATIENT RESOURCES - PAIN MANAGEMENT
PAIN MANAGEMENT
The management of chronic pain is challenging for both patients and clinicians. However, it can be done successfully. Consumers benefit most when their health providers collaborate with other professionals ( e.g., psychologists, addiction counselors, pharmacists) and when they take on a significant role in optimal management of their pain.
Consumers should discuss with their health providers treatment goals that include reducing pain, maximizing function, and improving quality of life. The best outcomes can be achieved when chronic pain management addresses co-occurring behavioral health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and when it incorporates suitable nonpharmacologic and complementary therapies for symptom management.
RESOURCES
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an educational, research and scientific society that works to elevate the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve patient care. Since 1905, ASA has played an important role in American medicine acting as an advocate for all patients who require anesthesia or relief from pain. ASA’s website provides information on treating chronic pain and the potential challenges of treating this condition, opioid treatment for pain management and non-opioid options for treatment.
The CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, provides resources on how to communicate with patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain, improve the safety and effectiveness of pain treatment, and reduce the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy. Download the checklist for prescribing opioids and browse additional clinical tools to help implement the recommendations.
HHS’ newly released National Pain Strategy, details steps the Federal government is taking to improve provider education on pain management practices and overcome barriers to improve the quality of pain care.
The PainEDU website provides numerous resources and information on managing chronic pain. Resources include a pocket guide to pain management, a client workbook and information on cross-cultural pain management.
The Mayo Comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation Center Program is an intensive 3-week outpatient program focused on providing multidisciplinary rehabilitative therapy to patients with chronic pain with the goal of improving quality of life and facilitating a return to regular daily activities.
Cognitive Therapy for Pain by Beverly E. Thorn is a paper that specifically targets the cognitive psychological processes (pain-related thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs) shown to be important predictors of satisfactory adjustment to chronic painful conditions.
The ECHO project done through the University of New Mexico is a telehealth project that allows providers from all over the country to get assistance for difficult pain management cases through virtual consultation with a pain management team at the UNM. This great resource for those practicing in rural areas without pain specialists for referral.
TIP 54: Managing Chronic Pain in Adults With or in Recovery from Substance Use Disorders equips clinicians with practical guidance and tools for treating chronic pain in adults with substance use disorders. This TIP includes information and resources on patient assessment, talking with patients about medication supply, addiction behaviors, opiod misuse measures, and pain treatment agreements.
Group Health established a major initiative to prevent Opiod abuse and overdose and make opioid prescribing safer while improving care for patients with chronic pain.
Chronic Opioid Therapy Safety Guideline for Patients With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain
The Center for Practical Bioethics-Pain Action Initiative: A National Strategy (PAINS) shares podcasts, reports, and information from various national efforts to improve the treatment of individuals with chronic pain
Disability Issues
Frequently Asked Questions: Americans with Disabilities Act | The Doctors Company
Tips for Using the ADA - National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act can provide legal rights to improved community participation for people with fibromyalgia and chronic pain. How can reasonable accommodation work for you?
Civil Rights Case Gives Hope to Pain Patients — Pain News Network
How Can I Get Reasonable Accommodations For Chronic Pain? - Pain Doctor
Working with chronic pain can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be impossible. You are entitled to certain reasonable accommodations under the ADA.
Is Chronic Pain a Disability? – National Pain Report
PAIN WITHOUT TREATMENT, WRONG WITHOUT REMEDY - doctordeluca.com - Dr. DeLuca's
Addiction, Pain, and Public Health Website
Your Pain, Your Rights: Dealing With Your Physician And Your Hospital | RSDSA
NCIL TASK FORCE LETTER TO CONGRESS:
https://www.ncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/6-25-19-Chronic-Pain-Sign-On-Letter.pdf
SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
RESOURCES FOR PATIENTS/CONSUMERS AND FAMILIES
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
Follow this link or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to access immediate assistance.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s “With Help Comes Hope” website has information for survivors, friends and families, and clinicians. It has survivor stories, self-care tips, “7 things attempt survivors wish their friends and families knew,” a therapist and support group finder, videos, and more.
VETERANS PRESS "1"
CRISIS TEXT LINE:
Text 741741 from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor. Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via the medium people already use and trust: text.
Family & Youth Services Bureau's Family Violence Prevention Services Program exists to ensure that all victims of domestic violence have access to the services and supports that they need to live a life free of abuse.
A Guide for Taking Care of Yourself after Your Treatment in the Emergency Department is a brief brochure designed to support people in recovery from a suicide attempt. This resource guides individuals moving forward following emergency department treatment and coping with thoughts of suicide. A Spanish version is also available.
A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member after Treatment in the Emergency Department is an accompaniment to the patient guide designed for families coping with a relative’s suicide attempt. It reviews treatment processes and typical follow-up arrangements. A Spanish version is also available.
A Journey Toward Health and Hope: Your Handbook for Recovery After a Suicide Attempt guides individuals through the first steps toward recovery after a suicide attempt. Includes personal stories from survivors who share their experiences as well as strategies, such as re-establishing connections and finding a counselor to work with.
Stories of Hope and Recovery is a video guide for suicide attempt survivors and features inspiring stories from three people who survived an attempted suicide. Told through their voices and those of their families, the stories recount their journeys from the suicide attempt to a life of hope and recovery. Includes a video guide.
