Grief and Bereavement

What is grief?

Grief is a natural response to loss. It is the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. You may associate grief with the death of a loved one - and this type of loss does often cause the most intense grief. But all loss can cause grief, including:

A relationship breakup
Loss of health
Losing a job
Loss of financial stability
A miscarriage
Death of a pet
Loss of a cherished dream
A loved one's serious illness
Loss of a friendship
Loss of safety after a trauma

Finding Support after a Loss

When experiencing grief, we often feel isolated, lonely and like nobody understands what we are going through. It can also be hard to share these feelings with those close to us, such as family members or friends. That is why it can help to talk to someone who is distant from the situation, or someone who has been in the same situation.

If you are in crisis, emergency services are available by calling 911 or visit your local emergency department.

Grief and Bereavement is a Part of Life - a useful poster to print/share with a listing of online supports and helpful phone numbers.

Grief and Bereavement Support Group - offered by Spiritual Health & Palliative Care. This free in-person/virtual 8-week support group is open to any adult in the western region that has experienced the loss of a loved one. Click here to view upcoming dates and registration information or call 784-2700, ext. 2669.

Employee Assistance Program (Western Health Employees only)

709-637-5306 (Corner Brook)

709-643-5111 ext. 349 (Stephenville)

Toll free 866-637-5306

Provincial Lifewise Warm Line

1-855-753-2560

Offers non-emergency, non-crisis telephone support for people in NL who are living with mental health issues. Lifewise’s trained peer supporters are non-judgmental and have firsthand knowledge. The Warm Line is available 11:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.

811 Healthline/Mental Health Crisis Line

811 or www.811healthline.ca

Call and speak to a Registered Nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 811 is a confidential and free telephone line available to all residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Kids Help Phone

1-800-668-6868

They are always there for you. No matter what you want to talk about, they’re available to listen. No judgment, totally private, 24/7. Call or go to kidshelpphone.ca to connect by text, email, live chat, download the free “Always There App,” or learn about BroTalk.

First Nations & Inuit Hope for Wellness Line

1-855-242-3310

Telephone crisis intervention counselling support for First Nations and Inuit, 24/7.

Mental Health & Addictions Navigator

1-877-999-7589

Are you having difficulty navigating the system or connecting with a service? Our Navigator is a central point of contact for individuals and family members throughout the province to help you figure out next steps, find the right mental health or addiction service and get help in making connections.

Doorways

Provides rapid access to mental health and addictions counselling services ‘one session at a time’. While most locations offer a drop-in service, some locations provide same-day, next day, or appointments by phone. Drop-in counselling services are available without an appointment or referral. www.westernhealth.nl.ca/doorways

CheckItOutNL.ca

How have you been feeling lately? Are you concerned about your or a loved one’s mental health or substance use? Take the first step, anytime, anywhere with our free online self-screening tools for adults 18+ www.checkitoutnl.ca

Bridge the gApp

Bridge the gApp is your online access point for mental health resources in NL. Youth and adults can connect to self-help information, register for online program

ing, and learn about local services through a searchable directory. Bridge the gApp was built by peers for peers, and contains a number of tools to support your mental wellness. www.bridgethegApp.ca

Canadian Virtual Hospice

Offers two websites that are confidential and free to help you understand and move through your grief…in your own place, at you own pace, developed by people who have “been there” and grief specialists, and features “real life stories and experiences.

www.mygrief.ca

www.kidsgrief.ca

Victoria Hospice

Online listing of many helpful services and links.