I Am A Griever

Adam – Advice

Adam shares his advice about losing and remembering a loved one

Preparing For and Coping with Special Days

Special Days can be days we have honoured with our loved ones that many others celebrate or more personal dates and milestones with your loved one. As these days approach, it can be difficult to figure out how to move through a Special Day. Do you do what you’ve always done? What do you do…

Kate – My art and my brother

Kate talks about being an artist and expression through art can remind her of her brothers encouragement

Angie – Preparing for Grief on the Job

Angie explains her thoughts on fitting in and doing the right thing

Nicole – Power of Speaking About Lost Ones

Nicole discusses the importance of sharing memories of those lost to drug poisoning and speaking their names.

John – Dating again

John talks about being asked by his daughters if he would ever date again

Scott – Process and lyrics

Scott talks about his process with lyrics and how his song “So far away” was for his mother in law. Find the song at his website www.dotbmusic.ca

Kate – Getting support

Kate talks about how difficult it is to ask for support

Joyce – Beliefs

Joyce talks about her belief system after her son died

A Million Other Things: Grieving a Drug Poisoning Death

Sister, father, son, niece, best friend – some of these words might be how you would describe your loved one who has died of an overdose or drug poisoning. People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) are not defined by their substance use – they are a million other things to those who love and miss them dearly. Drug poisoning and overdose deaths are stigmatized in our society. The focus is on how the person died, not who they are. Society still holds onto old notions and beliefs about drugs which come with a value judgment about people who use drugs, which further contributes to stigma. Not everyone who uses drugs is an addict and not all drug use is inherently problematic. People who use drugs deserve dignity and respect when we are remembering and honouring those who have died by overdose or drug poisoning.

John – What to do now

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

Scott – Music and grief

Scott discusses the relationship between music and grief