Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Chantal – You don’t have to be an artist to take part in art therapy

Chantal explains that you don’t have to be an artist to participate in art therapy and acutally if you have less art experience you will enjoy it more.

Calls to Care, Calls to Action: Bearing Witness to Global Catastrophic Loss of Life and Traumatic Events

We bear witness to stories of mass loss of lives, stories of families in Gaza being forced from their land, loss of culture and traditions, and countless other ways systems of colonization and oppression can contribute to other non-death losses those who are directly affected currently and have historically faced. As we discussed in a previous article, we can also experience collective grief following natural disasters, accidents, international conflict, and acts of violence that have resulted in catastrophic loss of lives.

Michele – Expressive arts and healing grief

Michele defines expressive arts and how they can help healing in grief

Amanda – “Reach out”

Amanda discusses the importance of connecting with others.

Corrie – We cry because we love

Corrie talks about crying, hurt and love

Christian – “Remembering together in a meaningful way”

Christian discusses the power of memories.

Marija – The wilderness of grief

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

Rev. Sky – “What is a trigger”

Rev. Sky explains triggers, identifying them and what you need.

Christian – “Grief can bring new life”

Christian explains where he found hope in grief.

Jacqueline – Crying

Jacqueline talks about how grief is love and how crying is natural

Cara – Grief and intellectual disabilities is a topic that needs to “get out there”

Cara shares some information from a participant in her research on intellectual disabilities and the bereaved. A person with an intellectual disability said… “Grief: It’s a topic that needs to get out there” Grief is something that so many people are hesitant to talk about, to display, to show, because there’s so many social rules around how we grieve. This is particularily challenging for the intellectually disabled.

Jessica M – The value of talking about grief

Jessica talks about living in North America and the fear many people have about talking about grief but that it is very important to talk. It makes us feel less alone and helps us move through our grief. It’s also how you can keep your lost one alive.