We can all do our part to support healthy pregnancies and prevent FASD.



What is FASD?

Why might people drink alcohol?

How can we all be a village of support?

Success Stories

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What is FASD?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is one of the leading causes of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Up to 4% of Canadians have FASD (1 in 25)

FASD is a diagnostic term that describes the lifelong impacts on the brain and body caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD is often called an invisible disability.

While it can’t be cured, early and appropriate support can make a positive impact and improve outcomes for individuals with FASD.

FASD can happen in any community or group where alcohol is used, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or socio-economic status.

 

Why might people drink alcohol?

The reasons why someone may drink alcohol can be complex and not easy to see. When a person becomes pregnant, these reasons do not always change.

Each person’s circumstances can influence their ability to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

 

How can we all be a village of support?

Preventing FASD is more than simply recommending no alcohol use in pregnancy. We all have a role to play in preventing FASD.

If you are a partner, family, friend, or community member:

Educate yourself and get involved

Learn about FASD, its causes, and its impacts on individuals, families, and caregivers.  Participate in awareness events (e.g., FASD Awareness Day on September 9th)

Share information

Share reliable information from trusted sources about pregnancy, alcohol, and FASD (e.g., Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, FASD Network of Saskatchewan, CanFASD). Spread awareness on social media, through conversations, and during events.

Support and advocate for pregnant people

Ensure access to adequate nutrition, financial resources, addictions services, and services for those who are experiencing domestic violence.

Create alcohol free environments and events

Reduce alcohol use around pregnant people. Organize local alcohol-free events (e.g., popcorn movie night, snowshoeing with hot chocolate).

Encourage talking to service providers

If you know someone who is pregnant or trying to get pregnant that is having difficulty avoiding alcohol, encourage them to talk to a service provider (e.g., healthcare providers, addictions counsellors).

Host an educational community event

Invite someone to talk about their personal experiences with FASD. Personal stories can help reduce stigma.

If you are a service provider:

 

Provide non-judgemental support

When people feel accepted and respected, they are more likely to seek help and share their struggles.

Share information

Share relevant evidence-based information and resources from trusted sources (e.g., Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, FASD Network of Saskatchewan, CanFASD) on birth control, pregnancy, alcohol and FASD.

Holistic support

Provide support for each person considering their mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs within their family, community, and culture.

Build compassionate relationships

When you show compassion and empathy for someone, they feel more comfortable sharing their story.

Reflective listening

People feel listened to if you validate and reflect back their experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

Build on strengths

When you build on someone’s strengths, you help to increase their confidence.

Link to supports

Help people connect with supports in the province, in their community, or online as needed.

Learn motivational interviewing (MI) skills

MI can help people make healthy changes like reducing or stopping drinking alcohol. Learn more through trainings*, books, or online resources.

*The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute regularly provides motivational interviewing training.

Village of Support Success Stories

 

Below are examples of organizations that are part of a village of support in their community. Many have worked with the Prevention Institute to raise awareness of FASD and support healthy pregnancies.

If you have a story to share of how you or someone in your community has contributed to the prevention of FASD by supporting healthy pregnancies, please click here.

September 9 has been proclaimed as FASD Awareness Day in North Battleford for the last few years. The Battleford FASD Committee holds a moment of silence at 9:09 a.m. to recognize those affected by FASD. FASD t-shirts, face masks, and resources are provided. The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute provides templates for writing letters of request for proclamations as well as media releases related to FASD Awareness Day/Month.

The Meadow Lake Tribal Council partnered with the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute to support the development of Youth Councils in eight communities. The goal is to encourage and empower youth to get involved and focus on creating healthy conversations amongst their peers and in their communities aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms for the benefit of the health and well-being of the youth and their community. The importance of adults working with and supporting the youth as allies is recognized and supported. To assist with getting the Youth Council’s started, training on how to start and run a Youth Council and how to practice youth engagement was provided to 42 youth and adults.

Youth and adult allies in the community of English River First Nation formed a community-based Youth Council. The Youth Council focuses on addressing alcohol use and alcohol-related harms amongst youth. The Youth Action for Prevention (YAP) Program of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute partnered with the community to support this initiative, providing start-up funding, training on youth engagement and how to start a Youth Council, and mentorship.

A billboard promoting FASD awareness was displayed for the month of September in Flin Flon/Creighton. This was initiated by the Flin Flon/Creighton FASD Committee and supported by the FASD Prevention and Awareness Grant from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute. Over the last three years, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute has helped to design the billboards for this knowledge sharing project.

The Prince Albert & Area Community Alcohol Strategy Steering Committee (CASSC) conducted a community survey and learned that many people were unaware of Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. In response the committee developed, printed, and distributed a resource on Canada’s Low Risk Drinking Guidelines, including that no alcohol is recommended during pregnancy. It also included information on addictions support services in the area. The FASD Prevention and Awareness Grant from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute funded this initiative.

In Flin Flon and Creighton, prizes from local businesses were provided for radio quizzes focusing on FASD prevention during the National Substance Use and Addictions Awareness Week. The prizes were purchased by the Regional FASD Committee with funding from the FASD Prevention and Awareness Grant from the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute.

The Battleford FASD Committee has displayed an FASD prevention message on an electronic billboard on the main street of North Battleford for the last three years.

One billboard used the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute’s “This is Why” Campaign, highlighting a partner’s role in supporting an alcohol-free pregnancy. The Prevention Institute is happy to provide graphic design support for this type of project.

#Bethevillage

 

Together we can raise FASD awareness and build a village that supports healthy pregnancies and embraces individuals living with FASD.

 

To learn more about the FASD Prevention Program of the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, click here.