General Grief Resources
General Grief Resources
Immediate Support
Reach Out 24/7: If you feel that you might benefit from more immediate support please consider connecting with the Reach Out Program which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Reach Out 24/7 support line via webchat (https://reachout247.ca/) or by telephone 519-433-2023 (toll-free 1-866-933-2023).
24/7 Support Line – CMHA Thames Valley
The Support Line provides confidential listening and support to individuals 16+ any time of day or night. Whether you are anxious, depressed, lonely, overwhelmed or just need to talk something through with someone, you will find a supportive and caring person at our end of the line.
Call 519-601-8055
Medical / Employment Related Support
We always recommend that you discuss your circumstances with your doctor so they are aware of what you are going through. They can assist with monitoring your mental health and possibly provide referrals and suggestions to other counselling professionals.
Do you have supports available through your workplace? It is worthwhile to see if your employer will assist with the costs of individual counselling and/or if they offer an EAP (Employee Assistance Program.) The EAP program may not be able to provide grief specific support, but often can provide some initial general support which you may find helpful.
Additional Group Support Options
If our group options don’t appear to be a fit for your situation, consider contacting one of the following.
Journey Through Loss
Website: journeythroughloss.ca
Phone: 519-782-5515
Group Grief Support at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in London
Anyone in the community is welcome to attend.
Email Jennifer Bush at [email protected] or call 519-455-9343 to RSVP before attending.
St. Joseph’s Hospice – Sarnia
If you are from the Sarnia Lambton Community we recommend connecting with St. Joseph’s Hospice Resource Centre who offer a variety of helpful resources and groups.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 519-337-0537 x 126
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network (PAIL) – offers a variety of virtual peer-support services and a variety of online resources. There are general groups as well as groups that are loss specific such as 1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester, Pregnancy Termination, Infant/Neonatal Death, and SIDS.
This organization is based in Toronto and provides services to parents and family members who are residents of Ontario.
General Website: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/
List of Groups & Supports: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/programs-for-parents/
PAIL Network also creates booklets and handouts that may provide additional information about the unique grief and care needs that often accompany pregnancy and infant loss. Booklets are free to families. To access the booklets, please visit: https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/resource-library/
Baby’s Breath Canada – Baby’s Breath is Canada’s only national foundation focused on SIDS, and more recently also dedicated to reducing all sudden and unexpected infant deaths including stillbirths.
For more information, and to request a Bereavement Package, please visit: https://www.babysbreathcanada.ca/
Suicide Loss / Loss by Overdose Support
Bereavement Services through CMHA Thames Valley are available to anyone grieving the loss of a loved one as a result of suicide or an overdose.
Website: https://cmhatv.ca/
Email: [email protected]
MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying Death) Support
Bridge C-14
Offers Support Groups for Individuals Grieving a MAiD Death.
General Website: www.bridgec14.org
Link to Bridge C-14 Support Options: www.bridgec14.org/maid-family-meetups
Email for more information: [email protected]
Individual Counselling
We do not provide individual counselling; if you are interested in this type of support we suggest contacting one of the following organizations or therapists.
Daya Counselling Centre
Website: dayacounselling.on.ca
Phone: (519) 434-0077
Family Service Thames Valley
Website: https://fstv.ca/counselling-services/
Phone: 519-433-0183
Inner Sojourn
Website: https://www.innersojourn.net/services
Phone: (226) 270-5028
Email: [email protected]
Irish Dhindsa
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/irish-dhindsa-ottawa-on/1184393
Phone: (289) 799-3226
Grief Support for Kids and Teens
VON Kid’s Circle – provides grief support to the youngest members of our community. They help children and teens aged 4 through 12 who are experiencing the death of a loved one.
VON Teen Circle – available to clients between 13 and 18 years old.
VON offers age-appropriate bereavement support activities and education that help the child grieve while giving them the tools needed for healthy grieving. They focus on the unique needs of each child, providing no-cost group support in an environment where they can feel safe to share their feelings.
Families can choose to have visits take place at the child’s school, in hospital, at home or in a child-friendly space at the VON office.
Call 519-659-2273 for more information.
Speaking Grief Documentary
This film focuses on moving away from the idea that grief is a problem that needs to be “fixed,” Speaking Grief validates the experience of grievers and guides those wishing to support them.
Promotes that there is no “right” way to grieve. By sharing diverse representations of bereavement, Speaking Grief illustrates that grief is a universal, yet individual experience.
Online video – 56 minutes in length – professionally produced.
What’s Your Grief
Frequent and supportive blogs on various topics related to grief. U.S. based.
Note – Also offers resources and workshops for additional fees. There are also advertising links throughout the website.
We find many of the blog posts at this website to be very good, but we can not speak necessarily about all items posted, including the paid links, resources, workshops etc.
MyGrief.ca & CaringTogether.Life
Online articles and videos hosted at MyGrief.ca and Caringtogether.life websites, both initiatives of the Canadian Virtual Hospice.
Click on the images / buttons below to visit specific areas of these websites we expect you may find most helpful.
Some information provided will be specific to a loss after a period of illness, however even if your loss circumstances are different, there are still many helpful resources available here.
Grief Stories
A collection of first hand stories including videos, blogs and podcasts about grief.
Ontario based.
Beyond Closure – TedX Talk
Approx. 17 minute presentation by Nancy Berns.
Click on the image to view the video.
We don’t “move on” from grief – TedX Talk
Approx. 15 minute presentation by Nora McInerny
Click on the image to view the video.
What dreams may come
An article that discusses various aspects about grief including understanding and navigating grief by Niamh Fitzpatrick.
“Grief isn’t just about death – it’s about the loss and change we experience when the life we had is gone, and there’s a new one in its place.”