Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Shannon – Enough

Shannon talks about us all doing the very best we can from the perspectives of a licensed clinical counselor and losing her husband to suicide.

Jean – My Story

Jean talks about isolation and grieving during a pandemic

Caileigh – My own grief and supporting others

Caileigh tells about her own grief and now it has given her a really powerful lens on how to support children going through grief as well. Along with her professional education and training, there is now a different perspective on grief and how that fits in with supporting others.

Rev. Sky – “What is trauma?”

Rev. Sky discusses how trauma affects us on many levels.

Christian – “Stigma of opioid death”

Christian talks about the social acceptance of an opioid overdose.

Cheryl – “What is grief”

Cheryl defines grief and talks about how we all grieve differently.

Marija – Types of Loss in a Pandemic

Marija explains how all of the losses we experience during a pandemic are compounded

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.

Jenn – Your art completely belongs to you

Jenn explains the wonderful thing about art is that piece belongs completely to you and you have the power to do whatever you wish with it . She makes some suggestions as to what you may want to do.

Corrie – Grief is like a rollercoaster

Corrie talks about grief over time

Maureen – “They are still your child”

Maureen explains how you find different ways of parenting.

Maureen – Holiday kindness and grief

Maureen discusses grieving during the holidays and being lifter up by kindness