Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Thoughts on International Overdose Awareness Day 2023

We lead multifaceted lives, and the deaths of those we love who have died by drug poisoning contain multitudes. The death of a loved one can bring intense grief, shock, anger, shame, or guilt. People who use drugs, and those who love them that they leave behind, face stigma in North America’s dominant, settler culture.

Keith – “Hope”

Keith talks about time, healing and hope.

Nicole – Grieving as a community

Nicole discusses the power of grieving together as a community. Finding connection and trust.

Rev. Sky – “Trauma, grief, and loss, sudden death”

Rev. Sky introduces herself and explains why she is in these videos.

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

Maureen talks about getting help and what is right for you.

Jacqueline – Humour

Jacqueline talks about how huour has a place in grieving

Maureen – “Group therapy vs individual therapy”

Maureen talks about what kind of counselling may work for you.

Jessica M – My Story

Jessica talks about losing her grandfather at 14 when her mother was terminal, her mother and aunt died when she was 15. She felt alone until she found a peer support group

Jenn – In grief an art therapist can be there to walk with you

Jenn discusses how an art therapists can support you in those moments of pain. They are there to honour your stories and experiences.

Marija – The wilderness of grief

Marija discussed acknowedging all aspects of grief and living with grief.

Amanda – “Hospice like home”

Amanda discusses the value of feeling like being at home during palliative care.