With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day set for September 9th, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is highlighting the importance of community support through its 'Be a Village' campaign.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, or FASD, is a term that describes the lifelong impact on the brain and body caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. Up to four per cent of Canadians are estimated to have FASD, which equates to about one in 25 people.
Laura El Mir, a Program Manager at the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute, said the campaign's message is rooted in the idea that support for a healthy pregnancy is a collective responsibility.
"It takes a village to raise a child, and we believe that that should begin during pregnancy because each person's circumstances and environment influence their ability to have and maintain a healthy pregnancy," she explained.
El Mir noted the reasons someone might drink during pregnancy are complex and not always linked to addiction. Other factors can include stress, trauma, or having an unintended pregnancy, which means a person may drink before they even know they are pregnant. A partner’s drinking habits or community norms can also be an influence.
When it comes to providing support, El Mir said the focus should be on creating a safe and non-judgmental environment.
"Meeting people where they're at and understanding that everyone's situation is different, and we just need to be supportive and organize some alcohol-free get-togethers," she said.
The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute provides free awareness resources to any community wanting to organize a FASD Awareness Day event. For more information on FASD and the 'Be a Village' campaign, you can visit the Be the Village website.