Caregiving and the Struggles with Addiction
Caring for others can be stress-inducing and isolating. Sometimes caregivers turn to alcohol, substances, and other diversions to help manage the struggles they are experiencing. This presentation will address concerns caregivers might have regarding their own substance use or that of their loved ones for whom they are caring.
Date May 8, 2025
Hosted By WellMed Charitable Foundation
Dr. Jenna Labell, MA, PsyD
Dr. Jenna Labell, M.A., Psy.D, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the field of addiction and mental health. She has worked in multiple outpatient rehabilitation settings in Montreal both with adults and youth suffering with substance dependence and/or behavioral addictions. She is currently working as a psychologist at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at the Montreal General Hospital with individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions.
Lucy Barylak, MSW
Lucy Barylak received her master's degree in Social Work from McGill University and has dedicated her career to supporting caregivers. Lucy was the founder and long-standing manager of the Caregiver Support Centre at the CLSC Rene-Cassin, a multi-service respite program for family caregivers and oversaw transference of knowledge for programs including Caregiving, Mental Health, Elder Abuse, and Palliative Care. In 2003 and 2012, she received the Queen's Jubilee Award, presented by the Canadian Homecare Association, and awarded on the basis her dedication in developing a national coalition to support the issues and challenges facing informal caregivers. Ms. Barylak also co-edited a book on caregiving issues entitled: Responding Creatively to the Needs of Caregivers: A Resource for Health Care Professionals published by Editions Saint-Martin (2002). In 2018, she was author to a chapter in Marguerite Blais, Minister of Seniors in Quebec, and Rosette Pipar's book titled: De la proche aidance a la bienveillance published by Marcel Broquet (2018). She has been a key architect of screening and assessment tools for family caregivers, and she provides trainings for health care professionals across North America on the use of these tools. Lucy is also a consultant for private industry, which includes work with the Wellmed Charitable Foundation and clinics in Texas. Lucy is also a liaison supervisor at the School of Social Work at McGill University.