Contact the Helpline 604-738-9950
Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223 M-F 9AM-5PM
Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223 M-F 9AM-5PM
BRITISH COLUMBIA - ONGOING - LOSS BY DRUG SUPPORT
Loss by Drug Use Support Groups: BC-wide (Ongoing)
Grief Support specific to loss from Substance Related Harms.
Moms Stop The Harm is pleased to announce that we are expanding our Peer Led Bereavement Groups to the following locations in BC:
For information on how to register please visit healingheartscanada.org, or click here to find the email for the coordinator in your area.
BRITISH COLUMBIA - ONGOING - SUPPORTING SUBSTANCE DISORDER
Holding Hope Canada
Supporting a Loved One with Substance Use Disorder - Ongoing
Holding Hope support is offered by Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH), a network of Canadian families impacted by substance-use related harms and deaths. MSTH advocates to change failed drug policies and provide peer support to grieving families and those with loved ones who use or have used substances.
Holding Hope Groups are peer-led support groups, offered at no cost, to families with loved ones living with addiction (substance use disorder) across Canada.
FIND A HOLDING HOPE GROUP in B.C.
BURNABY & VANCOUVER - CHILD LOSS SUPPORT
The Compassionate Friends - Burnaby
A voluntary self-help organization offering support, understanding and hope for anyone who has lost a child for any reason at any age.
Meeting Information:
CHILLIWACK - TRAUMATIC LOSS SUPPORT
Chilliwack Hospice Traumatic Loss Support Group - Everyone welcome
Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group
A Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group is a safe environment where friends and family members can experience understanding, support, compassion and hope. The group is for individuals and families who have had a loved one die suddenly in ways including, but not limited to, suicide, homicide, accident, substance use, or physical illness. Our Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group meets once per week for eight sessions and is offered by Chilliwack Hospice Society throughout the year as necessary.
When: Ongoing - call for upcoming dates.
Where: In-person or online.
Email: info@chilliwackhospice.org
Web: www.chilliwackhospice.org
Contact: Individuals interested in registering for this group may call Lucy at (604) 795-4660.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - U.S.
The Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit: July 21-24 2022
The Long-Term Survivors of Suicide Loss Summit, taking place July 21 - 24, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, provides those who have lost a loved one to suicide several years in the past or more a unique opportunity to share their experiences, and benefit from constructive new insights on how to healthily continue their grief journey over time. Those whose loss is less recent (typically five or more years ago) are encouraged to attend, as the summit will offer a different perspective than for those whose grief is more recent.
DELTA
Delta Hospice: 1:1 Music Therapy & Bereavement Support – Ongoing (Virtual)
Bereavement Counselling:
1:1 talk therapy services are offered by a Registered Clinical Counsellor for late teens and adults (age 17+) who live or work in Delta, or whose loved one was a resident of the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta. All sessions are currently being offered virtually by phone or secure Zoom platform. To book a time to speak with one of our counsellors, please call us at 604-948-0660.
Music Therapy:
1:1 services offered by a Registered Music Therapist. Our 1:1 services are for those who live or work in Delta, or whose loved one was a resident of the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta.Due to Covid-19 precautions, the types of music therapy sessions available at this time will be limited to the following:
Guided relaxation to music:
You will be invited to rest with intention as you are led through a body scan and guided imagery with music in order to promote relaxation and reduce stress or body tension.
Lyric Analysis:
Together with the music therapist, you will listen to a variety of music and engage in analysis of lyrics. You will be supported in drawing meaning or insight related to your experience of the music.
Song-writing for emotional processing or memorializing:
You will be supported through the process of creating an original song, or altering an existing song, for personal expression or to memorialize a loved one. No previous song-writing experience is required, as the music therapist will offer guidance and activities to practice putting thoughts to music.
Musical Life Review:
Almost like a musical scrapbook, this process involves reflecting on significant moments in a person's life and then finding songs to represent these moments. Eventually the music therapist will assist you in compiling a playlist that acts as a “memory soundtrack” of a person's life. You are welcome to create a musical life review for yourself, or for another person as a way to honour their memory.
Please contact the Music Therapist at Delta Hospice (604) 948-0660, ext. 311 or via email at kristen@deltahospice.org for more information or to book a session.
GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS - BIPOC - ONGOING
Lumara Grief and Bereavement Society (formerly Camp Kerry Society) is a charitable organization that helps children, youth, adults & families cope with serious illness, grief, and bereavement. Lumara has numerous online grief support programs for children, families and adults: https://lumarasociety.org/home/
Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions. At LivingMyCulture.ca, people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others. Perspectives include First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Chinese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Indian, Iranian, Italian, Pakistani and Somali.
This infographic by Morning Star Lodge at the University of Saskatchewan is a guide for Indigenous Peoples for processing grief and maintaining holistic health during these uncertain times. Canadian Virtual Hospice and the University of Saskatchewan Medical School were partners in the development of this resource.
LANGLEY
Substance Related Loss Support Group - Healing Hearts
SURREY
Valley View Funeral Home - Grief Services
Programs are in-person at no cost. Dates and times are subject to change. All events are to be held in-person at Valley View Funeral Home in Surrey, Arbor Lounge 14660 72nd Ave. Surrey BC V3S 2E7).
Contact Tricia for further information at tkeith@arbormemorial.com.
Father's Day Grief Support - Expressive Arts
Whether you are grieving the loss of your child or the loss of your father, Valley View Funeral Home invites you to find ways to craft your grief into expressions of love and connection. Session begins on Saturday, June 18th, 2022 at 1:00pm - 4:00pm.
Father's Day Memorial
Sunday, June 19th, 2022 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Yoga for Traumatic Loss Support
Saturday June 4th.
VANCOUVER - SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Vancouver Hospice Society Walking Groups
Gather with others who are experiencing grief to walk, talk, and offer support while receiving fresh air and gentle exercise, facilitated by trained hospice volunteers. 8-week sessions are held throughout the year.
Upcoming Groups:
For more info or to register, contact 604-737-7305 ext. 216 or email counselling@vancouverhospice.org
Registration will remain open until May 23rd.
***Walks are subject to cancellation or change based on COVID-19 public health guidelines***
VIRTUAL - EVENTS - WITHOUT DAD
Without Dad
In this fatherless father's day workshop, we will explore the art of dreamscaping. Dreamscaping is a process developed by Nancy Gershman that explores reworking/remembering memory into alternative realities.
Exploring Gief Through Reimagining reclaiming, and integrating memory/remembering/re-membering into new and different possibilities.
This is for anyone who has/had a complicated relationship with their father, who is navigating any grief related to their dad. Grief in the lack of relationship you have with your dad, grief related to death, grief for what you hoped for in a dad, grief for never getting closure, grief for never knowing, grief for knowing too much.
Date: June 19, 2022
Registration for virtual event
VIRTUAL- GRIEF SUPPORT CHRISTIAN GROUP
Grief Share (Christian) Virtual and In-Person Grief Support Groups (Multiple Locations Ongoing)
Grief Share is an international, church-based recovery program designed to help people grieving and dealing with a loss. GriefShare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each GriefShare session has three distinct elements: video seminar with experts, support group discussion, personal study and reflection.
Visit https://www.griefshare.org/findagroup to search by postal code for support groups in your area.
VIRTUAL - ISLAND HEALTH - MAiD BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP
Island Health MAiD Bereavement Support Group - Virtual (Ongoing)
When: 2nd & 4th Thursday of every month, from 1:30pm - 2:30pm.
When a family member or close friend chooses medical assistance in dying (MAiD), those left behind may experience a wide range of emotions and possibly conflicting feelings about the choice their loved one made. Grief and loss (bereavement) support is available. Our free bereavement support group for family and friends of MAiD recipients in the Victoria area is a judgement free, safe, compassionate environment to share and express your feelings and emotions. This group is founded on a supportive culture of end-of-life dignity and freedom of choice. During COVID, and in accordance with the Provincial Health Officer's order to practice physical distancing, the group will be meeting virtually via a secure video link connection.
Please contact Oceanna Hall, Clinical Specialist at 250-886-1077 to register or for further details
VIRTUAL - KIDS GRIEF MONTHLY (ONGOING)
KidsGrief Q&A facilitated by Andrea Warnick and Canadian Virtual Hospice
In this monthly webinar you can ask children's grief expert Andrea Warnick (RN, MA) all about grief and how it relates to children. In this event you are welcome to ask your own questions or learn from the questions of others.
When: First Tuesday of every month from 10:00 - 11:00 AM PST .
Cost: Free.
Register here.
VIRTUAL - LUMARA PROGRAMS
Lumara Spring Programs
Adult Support Groups (Virtual):
Adult Grief Support Group: Tuesdays, April 19 – June 7 at 5-6 pm PST/ 8-9pm EST
Perinatal Loss Support Group: Tuesdays, April 26 - June 14 at 3:30-4:30 pm PST / 6:30-7:30 pm EST
Kids Grief Support Group: Mondays, April 25 - June 20 at 3:30-4:30 pm PST/ 6:30-7:30 pm EST
Workshops (Virtual):
Inviting Gratitude: Saturday, June 4 at 1-3 pm PST / 4-6 pm EST
Family Art Therapy Memory Making Workshop: Saturday, June 11 at 10-11:30 am PST / 1-2:30 pm EST
Parenting Grieving Children and Youth: Saturday, June 18, 10-11:30 am PST / 1-2:30 pm EST
Finding Your Voice: Self-Care Workshop: Saturday, June 25 at 10-12:30 pm PST / 1-3:30 pm EST
A Bereavement Memoir Writing Course: Thursdays, May 5 to June 9 at 5-6:30 pm PST/8-9:30 pm EST
In-Person Programs in BC:
Synergy Choir: Wednesdays, April 27 - June 22 from 6:30-8 pm PST at New Westminster Secondary School Welcome Center
Westminster Secondary School Welcome Center
Camp Kerry Family Retreat: Friday, Sept 16 to Monday, Sept 19 in Princeton, BC
Drop-in Groups (Virtual):
Mindfulness Meditation Drop-in: Every Thursday from 7-8 pm PST / 10-11 pm EST
To register please go to: http://lumaraprogramming.campbrainregistration.com
To register for Youth Retreat or Family Retreat please go to: https://campkerry.campbrainregistration.com/
All of Lumara’s online group programs are being offered with a nominal registration fee. As always, fee subsidies are available to ensure that our programs are accessible to everyone. Simply send us an email request for program fee financial support to info@lumarasociety.org or call our office at: 604-553-4663.
For questions or help with registration, please contact the Lumara office at info@lumarasociety.org or 604-553-4663.