The program provides therapy to bereaved individuals who are at risk of complex grief/trauma (up to two years after the death). Facilitated support groups based on type of death or relationship to the deceased offer peer support and education which promote understanding of grieving process, as well as learning and implementation of healthy coping strategies. The program also offers ongoing seminars about coping with grief and consultation to community agencies, groups and the general public.
- Structured therapy for individuals experiencing traumatic death and complicated grief
- Facilitated Support Groups
- Widows and Widowers of all ages
- Bereaved Parents of Older Children as well as Infants
- Adults Bereaved by Suicide
- Adults Bereaved by Homicide
- Adult Grievers (bereaved by death of parent, friend, extended family member)
- Educational Seminars
- Community Group and Public Educational Presentations about grief and supporting grieving individuals
- Annual Candlelight Vigils for those bereaved by Suicide, Homicide and the death of a child.
Eligibility:
Windsor and Essex County Residents 14 years of age and older who have experienced a recent loss through death.
How to Access the Service:
By appointment. Please contact 519-257-5111 Ext. 72621. You may have to leave a message.
Funding:
No charge.
Service Hours:
The regular business hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm at the agency Monday to Friday. Services are available until 8:00pm Monday to Thursday by appointment.
Click here for a List of Additional Resources
Bereavement Education Seminar/Webinar: General Information
This seminar/webinar provides education and awareness about grief, mourning, common reactions to loss, as well as normalizes what may be experienced. Information is shared and suggestions are offered about healthy coping strategies, appropriate expectations, and taking care of oneself after a loved one dies.
1.5 Hours. Monthly. Time of day varies to accommodate different schedules.
Bereavement Education Seminar/Webinar: Emotional Regulation, Meditation/Mindfulness, Guilt
Emotions commonly experienced on the grief journey are discussed, explored, and strategies that assist in emotional regulation are offered. Mindfulness is discussed to provide clarity in regards to what it is so practices are enhanced, and there is also the opportunity to engage in meditation exercises.
This session includes a specific focus on working through grief-related guilt and shame.
2 Hours. Monthly or bi-monthly. Time of day varies to accommodate different schedules.
Prior to participating in Bereavement Support Groups offered at CMHA-WECB, it is requested that everyone first attend the two Bereavement Education Seminars/Webinars outlined above. The Mental Health Educator will provide assistance in accessing the appropriate group.
Available groups include:
Survivors of Suicide Loss Educational Support Group
Participants have the opportunity to share day-to-day challenges and concerns, and offer support and empathy to one another. At each meeting, those in attendance are provided with resource material for review and discussion. Staff and peer-led, open-ended group offered bi-weekly.
Spousal Loss Educational Support Group
Participants check-in with an update of the positives and challenges they are facing at each session. Topics including the impacts of grief, realistic expectations about grief, healthy coping strategies, self-care, creating a new identity and reality are covered. Close-ended, structured group offered bi-weekly for seven sessions; normally runs 2-3x/year.
Spousal Loss Aftercare Group
After completing the closed-ended structured Spousal Loss Educational Support Group, if in the clinical judgement of the staff facilitator it is deemed a suitable fit, participants have the option to attend this group for further support and sharing. Peer-led, open-ended group offered bi-weekly.
Bereaved Parents of Older Children Group
Participants have the opportunity to share day-to-day challenges and concerns, and offer support and empathy for one another. At each meeting, those in attendance are provided with resource material for review and discussion. Peer-led, open-ended group offered bi-weekly.
Remember Our Children (ROC) Group
For parents, grandparents, as well as siblings 16 years and older. Parents often attend this group after they have attended the Bereaved Parents of Older Children (BPOC) Group for approximately 2 years. Peer-led, open-ended group offered on a monthly basis.
Bereaved Parents of Infants Support Group
This group discusses what perinatal loss feels like, the impacts of grief, healthy coping strategies, going back to work, how mothers and fathers grieve differently, as well as subsequent pregnancies. Close-ended, structured group offered bi-weekly for five sessions.
Adult Grievers Educational Support Group
Participants check-in with an update of the positives and challenges they are facing at each session. Topics including the impacts of grief, realistic expectations about grief, healthy coping strategies, self-care, creating a new identity and reality are covered. Close-ended, structured group offered bi-weekly for five sessions; normally runs 2-3x/year.
GRASP (Grief Recovery after a Substance Passing)
This group was created to help provide sources of help, compassion, and most of all, understanding for families who have had a loved one die through drug use. The local GRASP meetings take place here at CMHA and are facilitated by volunteers. Open-ended group offered on a bi-weekly basis.
Parent Education Seminar
The objective is to provide education and awareness about grief, and how children’s grief differs from adults. Information about common indicators of grief in children, a developmental understanding of grief and loss, as well as helpful strategies for parents and children are offered.
2 Hours. Monthly or bi-monthly. Time varies to accommodate different schedules.
Children’s Grief Groups
After participating in one-on-one therapy, therapeutic psycho-educational groups are offered to children and teens to gain support from bereaved peers. A variety of creative interventions are used to enhance children’s understanding of death, engage in mourning activities, and build resilience for moving forward through grief.
Close-ended, structured groups are offered to children and teens, based on developmental level. Scheduled on an as-needed basis after children complete 1-1 support.
**One-on-one therapy sessions are offered to clients who are experiencing complicated grief or who have been impacted by traumatic death.