I Am A Griever

Joyce – Your other children

April 23, 2023

Joyce discusses how her daughter dealt helped her as well as dealing with the loss of her brother.

Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Sibling / I Am A Griever / Video

Jim – Significant incidents

June 13, 2023

Jim discusses being involved in a significant incident and how it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and ruminate over it. You may even start to drink or use drugs to cope. But it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many police officers have been through similar experiences. And there are resources available to help you get through this.One of the best things you can do is talk to a trusted friend or colleague. They can offer support and understanding. You can also seek professional help from a therapist or counselor. They can help you to process your experience and develop healthy coping mechanisms. It’s also important to remember that you can’t change the past. But you can learn from it. And you can move on. Don’t let one incident define you. You are a strong and capable person. And you will get through this.

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Grief, Breastfeeding, and Care

September 30, 2024

In this essay, I share a bit about my story of grief and breastfeeding. I also share some thoughts about the cultural grief some people are carrying about the lack of support afforded to lactating families whose goal it is to feed their baby from their body. I use some gendered language throughout this essay…

Bereavement Professionals' Insights / Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / I Am A Griever / I Am A Professional / I Am A Supporter / Perinatal / Supporting Others

Joyce -The pandemics impact on drug poisonings

April 23, 2023

Joyce talks about drug poisonings during the pandemic

Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Death By Overdose / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / Video

Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Other Special Days

September 15, 2022

When we are grieving, some days are more difficult than others. Grief comes in waves like the sea and can feel like an intertwining labyrinth of emotions. Birthdays, anniversaries, and special dates that are associated with our loved one who has died can contribute to more emotionally intense days which can be worsened through the anticipation and “what ifs” of the upcoming day. These difficult days can leave us feeling defeated and it can almost feel like we’ve taken two steps backward in our grieving process, but grief does not have a timeline, and these feelings of setbacks are opportunities for healing.

Blog Post / Collective/Community Grief / Death and Grief During a Pandemic / Grief and Trauma / I Am A Griever

Grief & Ice Cream

January 25, 2023

When my wife of 18 years died in 2016, I became a single father missing the love of my life, and also had to learn how to raise two girls (13-17 at the time) on my own. I remember a conversation I had with my mother-in-law and oldest daughter that began as reminiscing over a person who became a lost love to all of us. We all talked about different aspects of my wife but shortly, it transformed into a “who meant more to her” fest.

Blog Post / Death of a Child / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Parent / Death of a Partner / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others

Jim – Helping by listening

June 13, 2023

Jim – ” I talk about how to be a good listener to someone who is grieving. I believe that one of the most important things you can do for someone who is grieving is to simply listen. Don’t try to fix their problems or offer advice. Just listen and be there for them. It can be as simple as meeting for coffee or taking a walk together. You’re doing more help than you realize when you simply listen to someone.

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Jim – Humour and grief

June 13, 2023

Jim talks about how humour can help us cope with grief. “I’m Irish, and we have a saying that ‘laughter is the best medicine.’ I believe that humour can help us to see the lighter side of life, even in the midst of pain. It can help us to connect with others, and it can help us to find hope. I encourage you to find ways to laugh, even when you’re grieving. It might not always be easy, but it can make a big difference.”

First Responders / I Am A Griever / Video

Adam – Things that are OK to do

December 21, 2022

Adam talks about things he does to cope with grief like singing and crying

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / Video

John – Empower yourself

February 23, 2023

John shares his thoughts about how to support someone in grief and his processes

Death of A Loved One / Death of a Partner / I Am A Griever / Supporting Others / Video

Adam – Story 2

December 21, 2022

Adam discusses his busy life and how he has coped after losing his mother

Death of a Parent / I Am A Griever / My Story Video / Video

Kate – My story

March 11, 2023

Kate tells her story of being away when her brother died of an opioid overdose

Death By Overdose / Death of A Loved One / Death of a Sibling / Drug Poisoning and the Pandemic / I Am A Griever / My Story Video / Video