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.

Janice – “Grief can be complicated”

Janice discusses disenfranchised grief and holding on to hurt.

Rev. Sky – “Helping a friend”

Rev. Sky discusses the grief motto 80% listening, 20% talking and how to help someone in grief.

Janice – “Own our feelings”

Janice discusses the goals of emotional work and arriving at a peaceful place.

Janice – “Being triggered”

Janice discusses triggering, overreacting, under-reacting, and taking responsibility for the size of our feelings.

Jen – “Yoga for grief”

Jen discusses how yoga can help release stress and give you strength to help deal with the circumstances you need to deal with.

Keith – “Difference between grief and mourning”

Keith explains how grief is internal and mourning is external.

Amanda – “Listening”

Amanda shares the importance of listening and being comfortable with silence.

Janice – “Photographs”

Janice explains how photographs can be a doorway to help move forward.

Jen – “1st year non-judgmental”

Jen discusses the ups and downs of the 1st year.

Michele – Normalizing conversations around death dying grief and loss

Michele discusses grief literacy, the importance of talking and that dying is a part of life

Rev. Sky – “Grief is a journey”

Rev. Sky talks about her personal loss and the positive changes that happen as we journey through grief.