Discussion Guide for Download
Chronic pain affects more than 8 million Canadians—that is 1 in 5 of us.
It touches every aspect of life: sleep, work, relationships, identity, and mental health. And yet, for many people living with pain, the hardest part is not just the pain itself. It is the silence that surrounds it. The feeling of being misunderstood. The uncertainty of not knowing how to ask for help—or how to offer it.
At Peachey Counselling and Family Support, we know that supporting someone with chronic pain can feel daunting. You want to help. You want to say the right thing. But sometimes, the fear of saying the wrong thing keeps us silent—or leads us to offer solutions when what the person really needs is to be heard.
That is why we are sharing a new resource on our website: When Pain Comes Up: Simple ways to listen, respond and help someone find support, created by Pain Canada as part of the Unsilence Pain campaign for National Pain Awareness Week 2026.
About the Resource
This practical guide is designed for everyday conversations—not clinical advice, but a starting point for anyone who wants to support a friend, family member, colleague, or loved one living with chronic pain.
The resource is built around a simple but powerful framework:
LISTEN – Make room for what the person is telling you.
ASK – Find out what would feel helpful before jumping to solutions.
CONNECT – If they want support, help make a next step easier to find.
Inside, you will find:
Gentle phrases to use when someone tells you they are living with pain
Ways to bring up pain with care and respect
Small shifts in language that create more room for conversation
Guidance on asking before offering advice
Tips for helping someone find credible support when they are ready
Why This Matters for Mental Health
Chronic pain and mental health are deeply interconnected.
People living with chronic pain are four times as likely to experience depression and anxiety. The isolation, the frustration, the grief of losing the life they once had—these are not just side effects of pain. They are part of the experience.
When we learn to listen well, we reduce that isolation. When we ask what kind of support is useful, we empower people to stay in control of their own journey. When we offer to look for help together, we make the next step feel less overwhelming.
This resource is not about having the perfect words. It is about being present. It is about showing up. It is about letting someone know they are not alone.
Download the Resource
We are proud to share When Pain Comes Up on our website. We encourage you to download it, share it with someone who might need it, and use it as a starting point for learning together.
A Final Thought
To everyone living with chronic pain: your pain is real. Your voice matters. You are not alone.
To everyone who loves someone with chronic pain: you do not need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing to listen.
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Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And sometimes, love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
SOURCES
This resource was created by Pain Canada as part of the Unsilence Pain campaign for National Pain Awareness Week 2026. Pain Canada and National Pain Awareness Week receive funding from Health Canada.
