Balance
Holistic Counselling
Bereavement Support
In honour of Carl and Beatrice Mylin, Jim and Dorthea Zinn, Harvey and Erima Brentnell, Alma Burke, Dennis Sjoberg. With love and light.
Bereavement Support Services
Support and COMPASSIONATE Care for Bereavement
Bereavement support
There are lots of ways to get support for bereavement. But it's not always easy to find something that's works for you. You might want to try a few different options to see what helps.
Grief Support services are given as OUR GIFT TO YOU by W. J. Jones & Son Funeral Home in Partnership with Balance Holistic Counselling @ South Hill Medical Clinic
Please Note....Some groups are face to face groups "on location" and some are ZOOM support groups.
Our Support Groups are open to the public and are a combination of mutual support coupled with "Information to Grow On" discussions. With the understanding that Grief is a “process" to "go through", we companion each other through the seasons of grief. Sessions are facilitated by Brenda Zinn, BSW RSW.
Those who have attended have found that support groups help to "normalize" their grief experience by learning that others have "like" experiences. Support Groups also give a sense of feeling understood by others who "get" what you are going through. It is a place where you will not be judged for your feelings but will be listened to and honoured and supported through YOUR process of grief.
If you would like to "attend" a support group, or would like more information, please do not
hesitate to call Balance Holistic Counselling: 639-538-0169, email: balanceholistic.sh@gmail.com
or QR code to complete a form!
Coping with grief can be an isolating and complex experience. Bereavement support through counselling and group sessions provides a compassionate and safe space for individuals and families to navigate the emotional challenges of loss. Here are some key aspects of bereavement support:
- Individual Bereavement Counselling:
- Personalized Support: Trained counsellors offer confidential one-on-one sessions to give individuals personalized support.
- Emotional Expression: Counselling provides a safe environment for individuals to express and explore their emotions related to grief and loss.
- Coping Strategies: Collaborating with counsellors, individuals can develop coping strategies to manage their emotions and navigate the complexities of grief.
- Group Bereavement Support:
- Shared Experience: Support groups bring together individuals who have experienced similar types of loss, creating a community where participants can share their feelings, stories, and challenges.
- Mutual Understanding: Group members often find comfort in the shared understanding of their grief, realizing that others are going through similar struggles. This sense of connection can reduce feelings of isolation.
- Peer Support: Group dynamics provide a supportive environment where participants offer empathy, encouragement, and insights to one another, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
- Learning from Others: Hearing how others cope with grief and learning from their experiences can be valuable in helping individuals navigate their own grieving process.
- Structured Sessions:
- Guided Discussions: Both individual counselling and group sessions may include guided discussions to explore specific aspects of grief, coping mechanisms, and emotional well-being.
- Therapeutic Techniques: Therapeutic techniques may be employed to help individuals reframe thoughts, manage stress, and develop resilience.
- Holistic Approach:
- Addressing Different Grief Styles: Bereavement support acknowledges diverse cultural, spiritual, and personal approaches to coping with loss.
- Mind-Body Connection: Counselling and support may incorporate mindfulness and relaxation techniques to address both emotional and physical well-being.
- Continuity of Care:
- Long-Term Support: Bereavement support is often available over an extended period to help individuals cope with ongoing challenges and adjustments.
6. Grief Literacy:
- Grief literacy is an emerging concept that emphasizes the importance of developing a comprehensive understanding of grief and its various manifestations.
In summary, bereavement support offers a comprehensive and empathetic approach to helping individuals and families navigate the intricate journey of grief. By providing a safe space, personalized support, and community, bereavement services foster healing, resilience, and a sense of connection with others who share similar experiences.
Workbooks
Resources
Resources
Support Groups
HOPE
Grief Support Group
For all who have experienced the death of a Loved One
Losing a loved one can be a difficult experience that affects every aspect of our lives. The journey through grief is unique and challenging in its own way. That's why the "Hope" Grief Group is a safe haven for people from various backgrounds to come together, share their stories, and help each other navigate the complex path of loss.
(yearly dates poster)
6:30pm-8:00 pm
@ South Hill Medical Clinic
April 10, 2024
May 8, 2024
June 12, 2024
July 10, 2024
August - no group
September 11, 2024
October 9, 2024
November 13, 2024
COMMON GROUND
A Support Group for Those Coping with the Loss of a Spouse
Losing a spouse is a difficult and unique journey. That's why we created "Common Ground," a compassionate grief support group that provides a safe space for individuals who have experienced the profound loss of a life partner. Here, we can share our stories, heal, and find comfort in the company of others who understand the complexities of spousal grief.
Brenda Zinn (BSW RSW) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83466588239?pwd=aLORpAtzHEtVX57ziwe4vb9BU1W4ac.1
Meeting ID: 834 6658 8239
Passcode: 735130
April 10,17,24, 2024
May 8,15,22,29 2024
June 12,19,26 2024
July 10,17,24, 2024
August - TBD
September 11,18,25 2024
October 9,16,23,30 2024
November 13,20,27 2024
(yearly dates poster)
BEREAVED PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Bereaved Parents: A Support Group for Those Who Have Lost a Child
Losing a child is an unimaginable experience, and no parent should have to face it alone. That's why we created Bereaved Parents, a support group dedicated exclusively to parents who have gone through this heart-wrenching loss. Our community offers a safe and empathetic space where parents can connect, empathize, and begin their healing journey together.
Bereaved Parents Support Group Dates
(yearly dates poster)
6:30-8:00 pm
@ South Hill Medical Clinic
April 17, 2024
May 15, 2024
June 19, 2024
July 17, 2024
August - no group
September 18, 2024
October 16, 2024
November 20, 2024
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Contact:
Healing After Pregnancy Loss Support Group:
Moose Jaw Psychology Services
4-15 Lancaster Road
Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1M8
phone: (306) 313-5686
email: admin@moosejawpsychology.ca
website: www.moosejawpsychology.ca
Book Online: mjpsychology.janeapp.com
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS
Grief Support for those who have experienced the death of a Loved One to Suicide
Finding Support in the Aftermath of Suicide Loss
Losing a loved one to suicide can be an incredibly difficult experience, filled with a range of emotions, questions, and deep feelings of loss. Our Survivors of Suicide Loss support group is committed to creating a safe and caring environment for anyone affected by the suicide of a friend, family member or colleague. We understand the necessity of shared understanding, empathy, and healing during this time.
Brenda Zinn (BSW RSW) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83362519316?pwd=xIYhkqtX0yx9Ck8o67Fjvw5sbbKr9z.1
Meeting ID: 833 6251 9316
Passcode: 542440
---
April 24, 2024
May 22, 2024
June 26, 2024
July 24, 2024
August - no group
September 25, 2024
October 23, 2024
November 27, 2024
Death
Cafe
Imagine a cozy, candlelit cafe where folks can gather to talk about the elephant in the room: Death. It's a place where people can sip tea, share stories, and ask big questions without feeling judged. It's not a support group or an advice session, but a free-flowing chat led by a skilled host who knows how to keep the conversation interesting. Welcome to the Death Cafe, where talking about the taboo is the new normal.
Workbooks
Resources
Resources
Speaking Grief
Understanding Grief
What is Grief?
“Grief is not an illness or a mental health problem. Grief is a natural part of life.” - Julie Kaplow
Understanding Grief
Grief is a normal and natural response to a loss.
Each person’s grief is unique. Our individual grief experiences are shaped by many factors:
- The relationship we had with the person who died
- The cause of deathOur society and cultural background
- Our personality and coping style
- Our past experiences with loss
- Our support network
- Our religious or spiritual beliefs and customs
Grief can be present during any time of change .
Speaking Grief
Supporting Grief
Be authentic
It’s OK if you don’t know how to do this. No one does.
This is hard. When someone you care about is grieving, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. Don’t let discomfort prevent you from reaching out. This is awkward for them, too.
It’s awkward. It’s uncomfortable. Reach out anyway.
Image of two people sitting together looking away from the viewer, one with their arm around the other.
Now, more than ever, your loved one needs your support. You don’t need to have any answers or give any advice. Your goal is NOT to make things better; it’s to support them in their pain. The most important thing you can do is to simply reach out. Show up. Just be there.
Speaking Grief
Grieving
A message from grievers
We asked people who have lost someone they love what message they would give to another grieving person. This is what they said:
You are not alone.
Because losing someone is hard...
Confidential and free, MyGrief.ca helps you to understand and move through your grief.
MODULE 1
Grieving before the loss
Nine Essential Grief Basics Modules to Review
We recommend that you review the nine Grief Basics modules to help you navigate through your grieving process:
- Grieving before the loss
- Understanding grief
- How has this loss affected my family and me?
- Moving through grief
- Making sense of intense emotions
- Managing difficult situations
- Caring for yourself
- Do I need more help and where do I find it?
- When life starts to get better
While reading through this information, please keep in mind that:
- You might be reading this while caring for someone or some time after the death. We encourage you to revisit these resources often as you may only be able to take in so much at any one time.
- What you find helpful may change over time.
- You might recognize your experiences or find that some of them aren’t reflected here.
- If there is content you believe should be added, please tell us about it in the survey at the end.
As you read this, you may have strong emotions or feel uncomfortable. It’s okay to step away from it for a while, or it might help to talk with a trusted family member or friend.
Relationship Series
Losing a partner can result in changes in self-perception and relationships that require effort and time to adjust to the shift from being part of a couple to being single.
The death of a parent can have varying degrees of significance. It may be a deeply wounding event that leaves one feeling sad and bereft, or a sense of relief and release. It can represent lost or new opportunities.
Losing a child can be devastating and challenge the assumption that children outlive their parents. While all grief experiences share common threads, the death of a child is particularly heartbreaking.
Grief after the death of a sibling may not be acknowledged as much as other forms of grief. Regardless of the circumstances, the unique relationship with the sibling will greatly influence the grief experienced, whether the siblings were both adults or the death was sudden or due to a long illness.
Losing a grandparent can be a significant experience, whether it's your first encounter with death, or one of many. It can happen suddenly or after an illness. Their role in your life can vary, and you may have different emotions that can shift over time.
Losing a friend can lead to significant loss that may not be acknowledged by others around you, who may also be grieving but in different ways.
The death of a colleague can cause grief in the workplace, which can be shared or unique, depending on the nature of the relationship with the deceased.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Series
Pregnancy or infant loss is significant and can cause emotional and physical pain during the grieving process.
Pregnancy or infant loss, regardless of when it occurs, is a huge loss.
Knowing how to help someone who has experienced pregnancy loss or infant death can be challenging.
New Topics
Individuals with intellectual disabilities have similar lifespans to those without disabilities and are as likely to experience grief and loss, including both death-related and non-death-related losses.
2SLGBTQ+ individuals grieving a loved one may experience additional losses related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, which may go unrecognized or unsupported.
The grief experienced after a suicide death is often sudden, unexpected, and more complicated than other types of losses.
Grieving a loved one who died from substance use may bring up different thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Painful questions may arise.
Experiencing trauma after a life-altering event such as the loss of a loved one can be intense and long-lasting, uprooting your world and challenging your beliefs.
When someone with an advanced illness asks for MAiD, grief can start before their death, and conflicting feelings may arise before and after their passing.
If people do not understand or acknowledge the significance of a loss, such as death or non-death, it can negatively affect the grieving process. Family, friends, neighbors, and society play an essential role in supporting those who are grieving.
For some, grief does not subside over time and can interfere with daily life, which is called "prolonged grief" or "persistent complex grief".
HOPE
Grief Support Group
For all who have experienced the death of a Loved One
Losing a loved one can be a difficult experience that affects every aspect of our lives. The journey through grief is unique and challenging in its own way. That's why the "Hope" Grief Group is a safe haven for people from various backgrounds to come together, share their stories, and help each other navigate the complex path of loss.
(yearly dates poster)
February 14, 2024: 630pm-8 pm
@ South Hill Medical Clinic
BEREAVED PARENT SUPPORT GROUP
Bereaved Parents: A Support Group for Those Who Have Lost a Child
Losing a child is an unimaginable experience, and no parent should have to face it alone. That's why we created Bereaved Parents, a support group dedicated exclusively to parents who have gone through this heart-wrenching loss. Our community offers a safe and empathetic space where parents can connect, empathize, and begin their healing journey together.
Bereaved Parents Support Group Dates
(yearly dates poster)
All grief experiences share common threads, but when your child dies, it is heartbreaking. The death of a child can shatter your assumptions about children outliving their parents.
SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS
Grief Support for those who have experienced the death of a Loved One to Suicide
Finding Support in the Aftermath of Suicide Loss
Losing a loved one to suicide can be an incredibly difficult experience, filled with a range of emotions, questions, and deep feelings of loss. Our Survivors of Suicide Loss support group is committed to creating a safe and caring environment for anyone affected by the suicide of a friend, family member or colleague. We understand the necessity of shared understanding, empathy, and healing during this time.
Brenda Zinn (BSW RSW) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Survivors of Suicide Loss Zoom Meeting
Time: Feb 28, 2024 06:30 PM Saskatchewan
A death by suicide is often sudden or unexpected, and hard to understand. Your grief is likely to be different from what you may have experienced after other losses. It may be more complicated
A traumatic experience can shake up your world and profoundly challenge your beliefs. If you’re grieving a death that was traumatic for you, or if you experienced trauma as the result of circumstances surrounding a death, the effects can be intense and long-lasting
COMMON GROUND
A Support Group for Those Coping with the Loss of a Spouse
Losing a spouse is a difficult and unique journey. That's why we created "Common Ground," a compassionate grief support group that provides a safe space for individuals who have experienced the profound loss of a life partner. Here, we can share our stories, heal, and find comfort in the company of others who understand the complexities of spousal grief.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88112037876?pwd=lYMWGJs5PGdHrldH05ySEQOttah2lT.1
Meeting ID: 881 1203 7876
Passcode: 944076
(yearly dates poster)
Brenda Zinn (BSW RSW) is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Common Ground
Feb 14, 2024 01:00 PM
Feb 21, 2024 01:00 PM
Feb 28, 2024 01:00 PM
The death of your spouse or partner can change the way you see yourself as well as how others see you. The shift from being part of a couple to being a single person takes time and effort as you and others in your life adjust to many losses, including changing roles and relationships.
Death
Cafe
Imagine a cozy, candlelit cafe where folks can gather to talk about the elephant in the room: Death. It's a place where people can sip tea, share stories, and ask big questions without feeling judged. It's not a support group or an advice session, but a free-flowing chat led by a skilled host who knows how to keep the conversation interesting. Welcome to the Death Cafe, where talking about the taboo is the new normal.
Children’s Grief
Children experience various losses as they grow up, such as moving away, losing a toy, or a pet dying. However, children grieve differently than adults, and it may be hard to recognize that they are grieving. The degree to which a loss or a sad event affects children may not be apparent to adults.
When someone close to them is ill or dying, parents may be hesitant to provide children with detailed information in an effort to protect them. However, research suggests that being open and honest with children early on is the best way to protect them emotionally. Providing clear and appropriate support can help children cope with the situation.
Supporting grieving children can be challenging for parents, especially if they are grieving themselves. Children's grief is not always obvious, and it's easy for overwhelmed parents to miss the signs that their child needs support.
The e-learning course, "Weathering the Storm: Parenting Grieving Children," is designed to help parents support their grieving children during difficult times of stress, hardship, and change. It was developed in partnership with The Children and Youth Grief Network and is aimed at assisting parents who are grieving themselves.
Website links
Teens Grief
Grief the Classroom
Grief is an intricate and often profound emotional response to loss, and its impact extends beyond personal spheres to affect various aspects of life, including the educational environment. The classroom, typically regarded as a space for learning and growth, can become a unique arena where the effects of grief manifest in diverse ways. This phenomenon is not limited to students alone; educators, administrators, and even support staff may grapple with grief, influencing the overall dynamics of the learning environment.
Grieving individuals may encounter challenges that affect their academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. Recognizing and addressing grief in the classroom is crucial for fostering a compassionate and supportive educational community. This exploration delves into the multifaceted aspects of grief within educational settings, acknowledging its prevalence and the need for empathy, understanding, and appropriate resources to navigate the complexities that arise.
By addressing grief in the classroom, educational institutions can contribute to the holistic well-being of their community members, fostering resilience, empathy, and a culture of support. This exploration aims to shed light on the nuanced aspects of grief within educational settings and provide insights into creating environments that acknowledge, understand, and assist individuals navigating the challenging terrain of loss.
As an educator, you play a significant role in your students' lives and can teach them about dying, death, and grief. Completing this module will help you recognize and support grieving students of different ages and abilities by incorporating grief education and support into the classroom.
This module discusses how to handle the death of a student in a school community, whether it is expected or sudden. Proactive strategies such as developing a death response plan and incorporating topics of illness, dying, death, and grief into the curriculum are recommended. The importance of good communication and collaboration with the family of the student is highlighted. Strategies for supporting grieving students, creating a caring and supportive environment, informing students of an unexpected death, and supporting students and staff after a suicide are also covered. Additionally, guidelines for paying last respects, replacing the student on teams or clubs, and commemorating the student are provided.
Educators can provide grief support to students who have experienced a life-limiting illness or death in their family. To effectively support a grieving student, schools should establish communication with the student's family and consider cultural factors and the student's needs. This module provides strategies for communicating and collaborating with the family, creating a communication plan, working with students after a death, and supporting long-term needs. The module also includes activities to help students express their grief and cope with stress.
As an administrator, you are responsible for leading your school community's response to any death that impacts staff and students. This module outlines the importance of proactively developing a plan for responding to a death, strategies for collaborating with grieving families, and tips for supporting staff and students in the short and long term. It also covers planning for anticipated and unexpected deaths, including death by suicide.
Mindfulness and Grief
Adult Living with Illness
Kitchen Table Conversations - Grief Education Webinars
Grief is a natural and organic response to loss. You'll learn how grief and mourning impacts our life physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially, and spiritually. You will receive proven, practical ways to help navigate the wilderness of your grief day by day.
Grief.com - is dedicated to help everyone deal with the often unknown terrain that comes along with all kinds of grief. Through education, information and other helpful resources we hope to make the challenging road of grief a little easier.
Grief Yoga - uses yoga, movement, breath, and sound to release pain and suffering and connect to love.
MyGrief.ca is an online resource to help people move through their grief from the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. It can help you understand your grief and approach some of the most difficult questions that may arise. It was developed by people who have experienced the death of someone important to them and grief specialists. It complements existing community resources and helps address barriers to grief services. Many people working in healthcare use it as an education tool. It is also used by grief support groups and educators. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer funded the vision and the original nine modules. Health Canada has funded the latest series of modules. This site is not a substitute for professional counseling or other health services.
Center for Loss & Life Transition Led by death educator and grief counselor Dr. Alan Wolfelt, we are an organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them.
What do I tell the kids? How do I support them?
KidsGrief.ca is a free online resource that helps parents support their children when someone in their life is dying or has died. It equips parents with the words and confidence needed to help children grieve life’s losses in healthy ways.
Ementalhealth.ca - everyone will experience the loss of someone important to them at some point in their life. When people are faced with a loss of someone (or something) important, they may react by feeling sad, numb, upset and angry. Most of time, people will be able to grieve their loss and move on. Sometimes however, people may have troubles grieving their losses. If this happens, the good news is that many things that can be done to support a person with their grieving.
Dougy Center - our mission is to provide grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. We provide support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving. Dougy Center offers a wide range of resources for people of all ages who are grieving before and after a death. Find help you can access anytime! Kid resources, teen resources, young adult resources, parent and caregiver resources are available
Grief in Common - Grief in Common now offers online grief courses created for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. No matter who you lost, how it happened, or how long it is has been, these self study courses are appropriate for anyone who is grieving, and will address the unique challenges of loss with a wide variety of topics.
Recover From Grief - We present on our website a variety of creative mourning techniques: talking, writing, creating art, music or poetry, or memorializing are all good ways to express your bereavement. Explore our site to find the expressive techniques that feel “just right” for you
Mindmake Project.org/grief and loss - Grief & Loss: A Comprehensive Resource Guide A resource list for grief and loss for mental health professionals and consumers
Grief Refuge - Grief Refuge helps you navigate the difficult journey called grief. If you feel lonely, lost, or pressured to “move on” from your grief, we can help. We provide a mobile app, courses, groups, and retreats to help you feel comforted, cared for, and supported throughout your grief journey.
Heal Grief - HealGrief® is a social support network that is there when everyone else goes away and the real grieving begins. Everything we do is inspired by our core belief that no one should ever grieve alone. HealGrief® provides the tools and resources to guide one’s journey with grief into healthy personal growth.
Center for Grief Recovery - uses yoga, movement, breath, and sound to release pain and suffering and connect to love.
Our side of Suicide - discussion about suicide in an attempt to give a voice to those seeking support and encouragement
Children and Youth Grief Network - Every child and youth has honest information and well-informed support when someone they care about is dying or has died.
Foundary - Sometimes the pain of loss can be overwhelming. It is natural to feel grief after you experience a loss and those feelings can be complicated. In this section, you can learn about: grief, how to live with loss and how to help a friend or loved one deal with loss.