Supporting Others

What Can Help with Early Traumatic Grief?

When your child dies you are thrown into a nightmare. None of this is expected to be easy.
Even after several months, it still isn’t. There have been some things that have helped us during
our grief. Maybe they will help you, too.

Lisa -Advice to grievers

Lisa explains her thoughts about how to help someone in grief

John Martin – Loss and Grief- Make Sure You Hear Their Story

John about the importance of hearing a griever

Kate – Time to process

Kate shares about time and processing her grief especially during COVID

John Martin – Recognize What Your Loss Means For You Now And In The Future

John discusses what comes next after initial shock

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.

Krista – “Just be there”

Krista explains how being a listening ear can be so helpful. Krista continues to grieve the death of her son from opioid overdose.

John – What to do now

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

Sunny- Supporting My Grieving Mom

Laura- Loss to Suicide

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.

Coping with Guilt in Grief Playlist

Listen to the thoughts and insights of people and families living with grief.