Supporting Others

Sarah K – Be gentle

Sarah shares what what she has learned to help someone going through what she has been through

Cara – Intellectual disabilities and advance planning

Cara explains that people living with intellectual disabilities are growing to older ages, much like the rest of the population. And as folks are aging what we’re seeing is the need for families more so than ever, to do some advanced planning for who will take over any caregiving decision making or where that person may live, what sort of support they may need and what that’s going to look like after the parents or the guardians die so that this doesn’t become a crisis situation.

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

John – Being helpful to someone in grief

John shares his thoughts on how to help someone in grief

Jacqueline – How to help a grieving friend

Jacqueline discusses the power of just being there with someone in grief

Maureen – “Peer vs professional support”

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

John – What to do now

John talks about the time after the initial period of grief

Tips for Grieving During the Holidays

The holidays can bring up a lot of feelings, especially when you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Whether it’s the first holiday season without someone, the holidays mark a time where someone you love died, or it’s just hard to be around celebration when you’re not feeling celebratory, December can feel heavy.

These are a few tips for grieving during the holidays.

John – Empower yourself

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

John Martin – First You Must Realize What Has Happened

John talks about realizing the reality of grief

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.

John Martin – The Trauma of Loss and Grief

John discusses trauma and grief