Contact the Helpline 604-738-9950
Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223
Toll-Free: 1-877-779-2223
ORANGE TEE-SHIRT DAY - SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
ORANGE TEE-SHIRT DAY
EVER CHILDS LIFE MATTERS
September 30, 2022 - Annual celebration in honor of Indigenous Children.
Indian Residental School Survivors Society - https://www.irsss.ca/orange-shirt-day
BRITISH COLUMBIA - ONGOING - LOSS BY DRUG USE 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:
Location: Online ZOOM* meetings - RSVP for a link
Day/Time: last Tuesday of each month
BRITISH COLUMBIA - TRAUMATIC LOSS & DIVERSITY SUPPORT
For more information please contact: Joanna Lundy, Founder, The Guinnevere Project
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.
GRIEF SUPPORT PROGRAMS - ONGOING
Living My Culture
Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions. At Living My Culture, 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.
KAMLOOPS - YOUTH GRIEF GROUPS
The Kamloops Hospice Association will be starting two in-person Children and Family Grief Groups, both on Wednesday, October 12th. One group will be for will be for families with children ages 6-12 that are grieving the death of someone significant in their lives. The other will be for youth ages 13-17.
Caregivers will be required to attend the group and to have an intake session before the group begins. Registration is required to participate.
Where is it?
Both groups are at Cooper Community Resource Centre, Kamloops Hospice Association, 72 Whiteshield Cres
When is it?
Wednesday October 12th, 8 weekly sessions. 3:30pm-4:30pm for youth 6-12.
Wednesday October 12th, 8 weekly sessions. 5pm-6pm for youth 13-17.
Who is it for?
Group 1: Youths aged 6-12
Group 2: Youth aged 13-17
What does it cover?
The group for youth 6-12 will focus on play and art therapy to express their feelings of grief and loss. The group for youth 13-17 focuses on a variety of coping activities to help youth navigate their journey with grief. Includes movement, crafting, grounding, mindfulness and many other strategies.
How can I register?
For information regarding registration, contact the Kamloops Hospice Association. 250-372-1336, or email Dallas@kamloopshospice.com
LANGLEY - Substance Related Loss Group - Ongoing
Substance Related Loss Support Group - Healing Hearts
Date: The first Monday of each month
Location: Online
Time: 7:00pm
Contact: E-mail Healingheartslangley@gmail.com
More info on Healing Hearts: https://www.healingheartscanada.org/
SURREY - LOSS DUE TO SUBSTANCE USE - GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for adults grieveing the death of a loved one due to substance use.
Common responses to a traumatic loss are:
We encourage you to tell your story and honor the life of your person.
Hosted by: Valley View Funeral Home and Cemetery
When: Begins October 6, 2022 - this is an 9 week program, one evening a week
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Valley View Funeral Home, Arbor Lounge 14664 72nd Ave. Surrey BC
Contact: Tricia at 604-312-0484 or email: tkeith@arbormemorial.com
SURREY - SUICIDE LOSS - GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP
This support group is for adults grieveing the death of a loved one due to suicide.
Common responses to a traumatic loss are:
We encourage you to tell your story and honor the life of your person.
Hosted by: Valley View Funeral Home and Cemetery
When: Begins October 5, 2022 - this is an 9 week program, one evening a week. There is no cost to take part in this group.
Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Valley View Funeral Home, Arbor Lounge 14664 72nd Ave. Surrey BC
Contact: Tricia at 604-312-0484 or email: tkeith@arbormemorial.com
VANCOUVER - GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS
The Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society will be holding two in-person Grief Support Groups this fall:
Group 1
Where: Vancouver West Side/Kerrisdale (37th & Larch)
Dates: October 4 to November 8, 2022
Time/Day: Tuesday evenings 7-9pm
Registration for this group opens September 6th
Group 2
Where: Downtown Vancouver (Georgia & Burrard)
Dates: October 17 to November 21, 2022
Time/Day: Monday evenings 7-9pm
Registration for this group opens September 19th
VANCOUVER - OCTOBER GRIEF EDUCATION WORKSHOP
The Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society will be hosting a Grief Education Workshop for three Saturdays this coming October 2022.
When: 9am - 4pm on October 15, 22 and 29
Where: Downtown Vancouver
Cost: Fee $500 on or before September 15th. $550 after September 15th.
Visit their website for more information at www.lmgr.ca.
VICTORIA - SUICIDE SUPPORT GROUP
Pacific Centre Family Services Association (PCFSA) is launching a West Shore Based Drop-In Support Group for folks who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group is free, open to anyone age 19+, and facilitated by experienced mental health practitioners.
Details
When: 3rd Tuesday of every month starting Sept 20th
Time: 6pm-8pm
Where: #200-324 Goldstream Ave.
To get more info or to register, call (250) 940-4373 OR email intake@pcfsa.org.
Free parking is available, space is wheelchair accessible, bike lockups are nearby, and the location is close to the #50 and #46 bus routes.
VIRTUAL - SUBSTANCE USE GRIEF CONFERENCE OCT. 26 - 28
Please join Moms Stop the Harm for their “Grief Conference - Healing After a Substance Use Related Passing” from October 26 - 28th, 2022. Families, grief supporters and professionals are invited to attend this important conference that speak to the immeasurable grief families are experiencing from the Toxic Drug Poisoning Crisis taking place across Canada.
Hear from renowned author, Dr. Alan Wolfelt (Founder & Director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition) and participate in a variety of workshops led by well known authors and experts in the field of Bereavement support. The conference will include sessions on supporting youth who have experienced a loss related to substance use and a panel of individuals with lived experience who will share their healing journey of loss and discuss the stigma related to a loss from toxic drug poisoning.
Where: Online
When: Oct 26-28th, 2022
Cost: $25
Please visit https://www.healingheartscanada.org/grief-conference to register and to learn more.
If you require financial assistance to attend this event, please email info@momsstoptheharm.com.
VIRTUAL - CHILDREN'S GRIEF SYMPOSIUM NOV. 15 & 16
The Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children & Youth (CAGCY) along with three hosting organizations (Lighthouse for Grieving Children, Lumara Grief & Bereavement Care Society, and Seasons Centre for Grieving Children) are pleased to introduce you to the Canadian Children’s Grief Symposium – Canada’s first virtual conference designed specifically for those who support grieving children and youth.
Workshops will be delivered by experienced grief practitioners and educators from regions all across Canada. The Symposium will provide learning and networking opportunities for those who work with children and youth in a variety of sectors including health care, education, social services and more. Interactive sessions will cover a wide range of topics including foundational children’s grief concepts, advanced practice ideas, emerging research and innovative program ideas and tools. There will be multiple opportunities for participants to connect and engage with one another and with the presenters. Volunteers and students are especially encouraged to attend.
Where: Online
When: Nov. 15 & 16
Cost: General Admission - $150 + tax. Student - $75 + tax.
Click the link for more information and to register: https://grievingchildrencanada.org/index.php/grief-symposium
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. Grief Share groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. Each Grief Share 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 - VICTORIA - 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)
Kids Grief 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 Programs
In-Person Programs in BC:
Synergy Choir: Wednesdays, Oct 12 - Dec 14 from 6:30-8 pm PST at New Westminster Secondary School Welcome Center
Circles of Strength Adult and Children's Grief Support Groups: Saturday, Oct 1, Nov 12 and Dec 10 from 10-12 pm PST at New Westminster Secondary School Welcome Center
Adult Support Groups (Virtual):
Adult Grief Support Group: Wednesdays, Oct 12 - Nov 30 at 5:30-7 pm PST/ 8:30-10pm EST
Perinatal Loss Support Group: Tuesdays, Oct 11 - Nov 22 at 3:30-4:30 pm PST / 6:30-7:30 pm EST
MAiD Support Group: Tuesdays, Sep 6 - Nov 29 (bi-weekly) at 11 am-12:30 pm PST / 2-3:30 pm EST
Writing Our Grief Support Group: Mondays, Oct 17 - Nov 21 at 5:30-7 pm PST / 8:30 - 10 pm EST
Workshops (Virtual):
Inviting Gratitude: Saturday, Oct 1 at 1-3 pm PST / 4-6 pm EST
Kaleidoscope: Nov 4 - 6. Please stay tuned for registration information for our upcoming Virtual Grief Convention!
Drop-in Groups (Virtual):
Mindfulness Meditation Drop-in: Every Thursday from 7-8 pm PST / 10-11 pm EST
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/
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.