Supporting Others

Jim – Helping by listening

Jim – ” I talk about how to be a good listener to someone who is grieving. I believe that one of the most important things you can do for someone who is grieving is to simply listen. Don’t try to fix their problems or offer advice. Just listen and be there for them. It can be as simple as meeting for coffee or taking a walk together. You’re doing more help than you realize when you simply listen to someone.

Amber – Keeping Dad’s memory alive

Amber tells how she set up a Dad adventure day to keep the memory of her father alive for her kids and husband

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.

Joyce – Using my grief experience to help people

Joyce talks about the positive experiences she has in helping other people in grief

Lisa – How to support someone in grief

Lisa shares what was helpful from other people when she was grieving

Zoreena – Support systems

Zoreena explains the importance of support systems

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

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

John – What I have learned

John explains how he has changed since his wife died and now looking back what he would say to his self right after his loss

Zoreena – Ask for help

Zoreena explains how important it is to ask for help

Betsy – Adoption and grief

Betsy tell her story of losing her adopted son to cancer

John – Empower yourself

John shares his thoughts about how to support someone in grief and his processes

Donna – “Helping a grieving friend”

Donna shares some practical ways to help someone in grief.