Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Claudia – Defining an art therapist

Claudia talks about art therapy as a form of psycho therapy

Madelyn – Accept what you are feeling

Madelyn talks about how it’s ok to not be ok.

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

Jen – “Releasing grief through yoga”

Jen discusses how some poses can help release stress.

Maureen – “If someone you know has experienced pregnancy & infant loss”

Maureen explains practical tools to help someone who is grieving.

Donna – “Helping a grieving friend”

Donna shares some practical ways to help someone in grief.

Corrie – Getting comfortable with discomfort

Corrie talks about being comfortable and uncomfortable with grief

Jean – My Story

Jean talks about isolation and grieving during a pandemic

Caileigh – A safe place to grow and heal

Caileigh talks about how accessing play therapy can support everybody. When children have that safe place to heal, everybody around them feels good and can heal, too.

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.

Maureen – Grief and Holidays

Maureen talks about feelings duing holidays

Keith – “You need not be alone”

Keith discusses getting help, resources and that you don’t need to be alone.