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Summer 2026
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This newsletter provides information and updates about SaskPain activities and resources for chronic pain management locally, provincially, and nationally. Newsletters are typically scheduled to be published four times a year.
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SaskPain's Volunteer Board
Board Updates:
New Board members
- SaskPain is honored to welcome Leanne McLaughlin BSW and Melanie Hodges Neufeld LLB to the SaskPain Board. Leanne and Melanie bring a wealth of professional, volunteer, and lived experience to the Board. The Board looks forward to working with and learning from them! Check out their bios on the About Us page of the SaskPain website.
New SaskPain Board Chair and Vice-Chair effective May 28, 2026
- Dr. Mark Labrecque DC has assumed the Chair role
- Dr. David Peeace DC has assumed the Vice-Chair role
The Board thanks Dr. Labrecque and Dr. Peeace for stepping into these important roles and looks forward to advancing our areas of focused work under your leadership.
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If you are interested in finding out more about being a SaskPain Board member and have lived experience with pain, and/or experience and skills in the areas of business development, fundraising, or social media, please reach out by contacting the SaskPain email or view the SaskPain Board Member application at this link on the About Us page of our website SaskPain Board Member Application
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SaskPain's Priorities
The board is priorizing the exploration of new and existing partnerships and activities, locally and nationally, to move four areas of focused work forward:
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- Supporting people living with pain
- Raising visibility and collaboration
- Education for people living with pain and healthcare providers
- Resources and capacity
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Looking Forward - Shaping the Future of Pain Care: Behind the Canadian Pain Society Strategic Plan
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This informative video describes the strategic planning process undertaken by the Canadian Pain Society (CPS), including methods of member engagement and priority-setting approaches. Key priorities, goals, and values in the CPS strategic plan are outlined along with a description of how these outcomes align with national needs in pain research, education, advocacy, and clinical care. Suggestions are provided for actionable ways the pain community across Canada can engage with and contribute to the CPS strategic plan, including opportunities for collaboration, implementation, and community mobilization. CPS Strategic Plan Session
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Resource for Those Living with Pain and Healthcare Providers
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SaskPain offers several videos and podcasts that present Saskatchewan based healthcare providers and researchers who have information and education to share about pain science and pain care. Everyday people also share their incredible stories of living with pain and the techniques they've used to help manage their pain and live well.
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Resources for Kids
Made in Saskatchewan
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One of the many important outcomes of the recently completed Improving Pain in Saskatchewan (IPSK) research project is the creation of the children's book, Rikki's Invisible Pain. This book, for children in Grades 3-4, is available in both English and French and is about a young student who lives with complex pain. Themes of empathy, inclusivity, validation, identity and resiliency are central to Rikki’s story. A digital copy of Rikki's Invisible Pain and the Grade 3-4 Companion Curriculum Guide can be downloaded from the SaskPain website.
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In addition, hard copies of the English and French versions can be purchased ($18/copy taxes and shipping included) on request from the website or by contacting info@saskpain.ca. Purchases support future printing and distribution of this important book.
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Solutions for Kids in Pain
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Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a national knowledge mobilization network based at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their mission is to improve children's pain management by mobilizing evidence-based solutions through coordination and collaboration.
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Learn more about their work and access information and resources at their website SKIP
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Resource for Teens
Menstrual Pain Education
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The Family Health Lab at the University of Saskatchewan is located in the Department of Psychology and Health Studies. Research focuses on improving health and mental health outcomes in children, youth, and families. The Family Health Lab has developed a resource for those experiencing menstrual pain. Check out Understand and Manage Menstrual Pain
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More Resources for Pain Management
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Saskatchewan:
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Sask Health Authority Chronic Pain Provincial Clinical Network
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Chronic Pain Provincial Clinical Network (PCN) team completed a provincial scan of chronic pain management in primary care through meetings with clinical teams across the province. They are now moving from information gathering and planning to development of tools and resources for use in primary care. Working groups will be created to co-design resources to support people living with chronic pain including supported self-management, standardized screening and assessment, and training for healthcare providers. If you are interested in staying informed about the SHA Chronic Pain PCN, sign up to the PCN Mailing List
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Sask Health Authority LiveWell Program
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The Sask Health Authority LiveWell Saskatchewan program offers workshops for the management of chronic pain. The focus is on building self-management skills and maintaining an active and fulfilling life. There is no cost for this program. You can find out more here LiveWell With Chronic Pain Workshops
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National:
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Pain Canada
Pain Canada has a lot of excellent information to explore. The Resources tab includes lists of resources for people living with pain, resources for healthcare professionals, and awareness and advocacy campaigns across Canada. Check this link Pain Canada Resources
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Power Over Pain Portal
The Power Over Pain Portal is the result of a coast-to-coast Canadian collaboration of people living with pain; clinicians; researchers; and representatives of community organizations with the common goal of improving access to chronic pain care in Canada. The goal of the portal is to provide access to free resources in a one-stop shop. Resources include articles, videos, podcasts, courses, workshops, and peer support Connect With a Community of Support. You will see there are resources for both adults and youth on the website Power Over Pain
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People in Pain Network
People in Pain Network is a non-profit organization that promotes well-being for people living in persistent pain and those who care about them by strengthening self-management programs, access to resources, and community support. Check out the Resources button on the website: People in Pain Network
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Pain BC
Pain BC offers many resources for persons who have lived experience and health care providers. Check out their website for array of resources and information: Pain BC
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Pain Society of Alberta
The Pain Society of Alberta (PSA) offers education and resources. Check out the PSA website and the PSA YouTube channel for a catalogue of videos on various topics.
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Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans
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The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans is a research centre focusing on improving the well-being of Veterans with chronic pain.
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Research and improvement updates and participation opportunities
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Local Research:
Participants Needed - University of Saskatchewan Emergency Medicine Study for Understanding Emergency Department Utilization and Decision-Making Among Individuals Living with Chronic Pain
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Your experiences can support local health research and health system improvement!
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The department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan is offering a 30-minute anonymous online questionnaire to understand emergency department utilization and decision-making among individuals living with chronic pain. Your perspective and lived experience can directly help improve emergency care and resources for the chronic pain community in Saskatchewan.
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If you are a Saskatchewan resident aged 18 or older and living with chronic pain, you can participate here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GL5DSZC or access the questionnaire using the QR code below.
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SK researchers are recruiting parents of teens with chronic pain to participate as research advisors
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Are you a parent of a teen who experiences chronic pain? Pain researchers in Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan are recruiting parents to provide input, through a Parent Advisory Committee to the research, to help guide intervention planning and development to support parents of teens with chronic pain.
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The researchers will schedule a Zoom call to provide more information and guide interested parent participants through the consent process.
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Continuing Education
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Free Professional Development Opportunity: Pain Canada Course - Moving Through Pain
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For many people living with chronic pain, fear of movement can become a significant barrier to daily life. Supporting someone through that fear isn't always straightforward. Without the right tools and knowledge, it can be challenging to know how best to help. Moving Through Pain is a free, self-paced online program from Pain Canada that gives health care providers the practical knowledge and teaching resources to support patients to move with more ease, safely and confidently. Access the Moving Through Pain Course Outline here. This Pain Canada Certified course provides content that is immediately applicable to your practice. Enroll now at paincanada.ca/course/moving-through-pain
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Canadian Pain Society Free National Pain Rounds
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The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) hosts monthly National Pain Rounds, that are free of charge, on the last Friday of each month. Check CPS Pain Rounds to find out more about content and dates, to register for these free sessions, and to access archived Pain Rounds.
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Pain Foundations Course for Healthcare Providers:
Compact. Online. Self-paced. CME credits eligible. Chronic pain is hiding in plain sight in your practice. Pain Foundations helps you see it and do something about it.
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Pain is complex, and understanding the full picture can be challenging. Pain care continues to evolve, and many health care providers are seeking practical, evidence-based tools to better understand and support people living with pain. Pain Foundations is a free online, self-paced program built to change that. Developed in consultation with clinical experts and people with lived experience, this practical course gives you the foundational knowledge to:
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- Recognize chronic pain as a complex, subjective experience unique to every patient
- Understand what's actually happening in the nervous system
- Apply trauma- and violence-informed, culturally safe practices
- Collaborate with patients on pain assessment and management plans
- Address the stigma and marginalization your patients may be navigating.
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Pain Canada Annual Putting the Pieces Together Conference 2026
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Pain Canada will again host this national free virtual conference, organized for and by people living with pain, November 2 - 6, 2026. This annual conference has been well attended by people from across Canada. Click on this link for more information and to access the informative sessions that were recorded at the November 2025 conference on the Pain Canada YouTube Channel: Putting the Pieces Together Conference
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