Bereavement Professionals’ Insights

Chantal – Grief and art therapy group

Chantal talks about the honour of being witness to other peoples story and exploration of grief and art therapy

Christian – “Grief in the opioid crisis”

Christian talks about looking for answers in great sadness.

Keith – “Hope”

Keith talks about time, healing and hope.

Michele – My Story

MIchele talks about her multiple losses starting from when she was very young

Jacqueline – It’s an Honour

Jacqueline explains why it’s an honour to be a part of her clients healing journey

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.

Professional Insights Playlist

Listen to the thoughts and insights of professionals helping people and families to cope with grief.

Amanda – “Hospice like home”

Amanda discusses the value of feeling like being at home during palliative care.

Grief, Breastfeeding, and Care

In this essay, I share a bit about my story of grief and breastfeeding. I also share some thoughts about the cultural grief some people are carrying about the lack of support afforded to lactating families whose goal it is to feed their baby from their body. I use some gendered language throughout this essay…

Claudia – Being stuck and art therapy

Claudia discusses remunating how art therapist can help create different positive perspectives

Chantal – Giving space

Chantal discusses how it is good and honouring to the one you’ve lost to give space and feel everything

Carrie – Photography and grieving

Carrie discusses how photography can be very freeing in that it allows for exploration and move us away from the need to explain and can be more about experience what our own process is all about.