#CarryYourKitCampaign

The SOPEN team created the Carry Your Kit Campaign to encourage folks to carry naloxone kits wherever they go. We want to normalize carrying naloxone kits and reduce the stigma associated with this life-saving medicine.

How to show support?

Carry your kit everywhere you go: the gym, on a walk, the store, etc. You never know when you might need to save a life!
Promote carrying your naloxone kit by taking a picture of you and your naloxone kit
Post it on Instagram with the hashtag #CarryYourKitCampaign and tag @SOPENhamilton

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Tis the season to put a smile on someone's face! W

Tis the season to put a smile on someone's face! We believe there is a letter to be made for everyone. ❤️ We personally LOVE using Canva to create our digital letters.⁣
SOPEN will be hosting an in-person workshop on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Join us for discussions around mental health and the power of letter-writing. It's a free event! The only cost we kindly ask of you is your time.

RVSP ➡️ by emailing sopenhamilton@gmail.com, or see Eventbrite link on our bio. We hope to see you there! 💌🖊️

December 1 is World AIDS Day. This year’s theme

December 1 is World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is: Let communities lead. It is also the beginning of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Canada, is a time for reflection on what we have achieved with regard to the national and global response to HIV, and what we still must achieve. For more information about this awareness week, visit the CAAN website.⁣The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) monitors the HIV epidemic in Canada. PHAC estimated that at the end of 2020 there were 62,790 Canadians with HIV. An estimated 90% of the people in Canada with HIV were diagnosed and aware they had HIV. This means that an estimated 10% of people with HIV were undiagnosed at the end of 2020.
• #WorldAIDSDay
• #WAD
• #WAD2023
• #IndigenousAIDSAwarenessWeek
• #IAAW
• #IAAW2023
1. The sooner someone is diagnosed with HIV, the longer and healthier their life will be. Get free HIV self-test kits delivered anywhere in Canada so you can make informed decisions about your health. https://selftest.catie.ca/
2. Look after your health and your partners by taking an HIV test, either on your own or together. @CATIEinfo can help by sending you free HIV self-test kits anywhere in Canada. https://selftest.catie.ca/
3. How can you support people who self-test for HIV? Read this @CATIEinfo fact sheet with information for service providers. https://www.catie.ca/hiv-self-testing-0
4. December 1 is World AIDS Day and also marks the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Canada. We cannot respond to HIV without addressing the underlying social determinants that place Indigenous people at greater risk of infection.
5. Among people living with HIV in Canada, approximately 1 in 10 are Indigenous. December 1 to 7 is Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week, a chance to start important dialogues around HIV, prevention, challenging misconceptions and combatting stigma.

Today is Giving Tuesday! ⁣ SOPEN is collecting d

Today is Giving Tuesday! ⁣
SOPEN is collecting donations to support Hamilton's houseless and precariously housed community members with cold weather gear (hand warmers, gloves, hats, coats, etc.) as winter approaches!

If you have even a few dollars to spare, we are accepting e-transfers to sopenhamilton@gmail.com! Every bit helps and we thank you for your consideration!

Hope to see you at our next volunteer onboarding s

Hope to see you at our next volunteer onboarding session! 🥳

SOPEN Statement of Solidarity #freepalestine 🇵🇸

During the holidays, individuals facing mental hea

During the holidays, individuals facing mental health challenges and using substances may experience feelings of loneliness, grief, and stress as the holiday season often emphasizes social connections and happiness. We are hoping you will join us in writing feel better letters to foster a sense of safety and community over the holiday season.

Please RSVP to ➡️sopenhamilton@gmail.com If you can’t join, but would like to participate we are also accepting written submissions via email.

Test your drugs ❤️ send us a DM or complete fo

Test your drugs ❤️ send us a DM or complete form in the bio to get a kit!

Indigenous Disabilities Awareness Month is a time

Indigenous Disabilities Awareness Month is a time that we acknowledge and recognize the valuable contributions that have been made by Indigenous Peoples with disabilities in Canada. These achievements include social, economic, and cultural; all in which have had positive impacts.
Indigenous folks within Canada have a higher rate of experiencing disability compared to the general population. This day is to also bring awareness to this disproportionate rate, and recognize the barriers that Indigenous folks with disabilities and their families face daily.

The Indigenous population experiences a disproportionately higher rate of substance use, compared to non-Indigenous folks. It is imperative to recognize that these higher rates stem directly from colonialism and intergenerational trauma.

How can you be an ally?⬇️

✨Being an ally involves educating oneself on the historical and cultural context of Indigenous communities, listening to their voices, and amplifying their perspectives.
✨Support Indigenous-led initiatives, advocate for policies addressing systemic issues, and foster respectful dialogue to raise awareness about the impact of colonialism on substance use disparities.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about uniting

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about uniting victims and survivors who experience(d), domestic violence. Domestic violence can happen to anyone no matter gender, culture, ethnicity, or faith. We must bring awareness, and take a united stand, allowing light to be shed on this issue.

Resources ⬇️

✨Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area (SACHA) 905-525-4573

✨Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre 905-521-2100 x 73557

✨THRIVE Child and Youth Trauma Services 905-523-1020

Did you know that Veterans account for 4.4% of ind

Did you know that Veterans account for 4.4% of individuals experiencing homelessness across Canada? (Government of Canada).

In honour of Remembrance Day, we would like to offer space to talk about Canadian Armed Forces and the impacts of mental health and substance use. These are some of the factors that can contribute to homelessness, unemployment, and poverty.

Comment below on your thoughts! What surprised you the most?

HAMILTON DRUG ALERT 🚨 The current drug supply

HAMILTON DRUG ALERT 🚨

The current drug supply is toxic and unpredictable. Avoid using drugs alone- use with a friend, start low and go slow, test your drugs (send us a DM for fentanyl test strips or complete the form in our bio), visit a supervised consumption site, or call the National Overdose Response Services (NORs) at 1-888-688-6677

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