My Pain is Ever With Me

Chronic pain affects up to 20% of all Americans and is one of the most common reasons adults seek medical care. While medication like opioid painkillers offer relief, they have also brought addiction and decay to individuals, families, and entire communities. In Colorado, emotional pain has become a public health concern, as rates of depression and suicide climb. As the first point of contact for patients in pain, healthcare providers are positioned to address these needs, but in an overloaded medical system, who has the time or resources to provide thoughtful, holistic care?Join Denver Institute for Faith & Work and a team of medical practitioners for a faith-centered conversation about pain and clinical practice. Together we will consider:How a biblical understanding of suffering informs patient care;Helpful–and unhelpful–postures from Christian tradition that shape clinical practice;Real-life experiences of patients in pain and their encounters with the healthcare system; andInsights into Colorado’s growing mental health crisis.