What Albertans are Saying
Scroll left and right to see the feedback we've gotten when we asked Albertans about their experiences with grief resources. To see the data from the largest grief survey completed in Canada, click here.
Grief Support for Albertan Communities
Our mission is to strengthen and empower Albertan communities by providing funding, access, and training for grief resources while raising awareness and fighting the stigma surrounding grief.
We believe that when someone needs help with their grief, the answer should be “yes.”
We Need your Help!
Loss of a loved one, divorce, pet loss, parental alienation, financial hardships:
grief takes on many forms, none of them easy.
It takes a lot of time, effort, and funding to make change, but you can help.
Our Initiative
We subsidize grief therapy and grief support programs for vulnerable* individuals, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to receiving the support they require.
In communities where there is not enough support, we will train select community members to be certified in group grief support methods.
The care a person receives during their most vulnerable times should be top-quality, easily accessible, and affordable; that's why we've taken on the task of bridging gaps in Alberta's grief care network.
We have 5 core programs to address various weak points in Alberta's grief care. Each program takes a unique approach to bridging the gaps in the existing grief support network.
*Vulnerable populations are youth and seniors, first nations, low-income, disabled, and select other populations, such as victims of gender-based violence.
Our Journey So Far
We've got a lot of work ahead of us. Currently, we're a small team of individuals that care deeply about the grief experience and are working tirelessly to create a better grief network in Alberta. Why? Because this is our home, and we believe Albertans deserve this.
Jes Knoop, founder of Lean on Me, shares her thoughts and experiences of our journey in our blog. Click the button below to read more.
Anonymous
[There is] too much on the internet to determine local and useful assistance.
Kelsie B.
I was able to access grief support but the quality was not great. It was through a school counsellor many years ago. I have since experienced grief again and have not accessed anything due to the poor quality I experienced before.
Anonymous
I accessed support through Red Cedar, it was easy and accessible and paid by NIHB. I did complete the full amount of sessions allotted to me. It was very helpful, but I would like to access again and now there's a long wait list. Also cost is a barrier for many Indigenous folks who don't have Treaty status.
Anonymous
Long wait list, only a blanket form of grief therapy, I lost my only sibling and there is no form of therapy for sibling loss.
Anonymous
I have went through three provinces (ages 12-28) and all struggle with lack of resources and affordability / too strict qualifications for free
Sarah H.
Very long wait times. Doctor left myself to find my own resources. Day treatment group was amazing.
Anonymous
It's very expensive, even on a sliding pay scale
Amber K.
Different forms of grief have had different barriers. Finding grief support after my divorce was easy, however affording it was not. Finding grief support after being SA’d from an indigenous perspective in my area was near impossible and affordability was a challenge, same with finding someone to help me process the loss of my culture that I didn’t have to start with.
Anonymous
I accessed support through [A Local Psychology Office], it was easy and accessible and paid by NIHB. I did complete the full amount of sessions allotted to me. It was very helpful, but i would like to access again and now there's a long wait list. Also cost is a barrier for many Indigenous folks who don't have Treaty status.
V.H.
I don't know where to start. I've seen a therapist through the cancer centre, but i was discharged as a patient after my cancer treatment.
Anonymous
[It takes] Too much on the internet to determine local and useful assistance
Jay D.
I feel like grief support services don’t last long enough to help support people through the sometimes long journey of grief.
Dee O.
I spent $100/ session; wouldn't recommend that particular counsellor, but I strongly believe they can offer objective listening and support when we don't know where else to turn.
Facts vs Reality
REALITY:
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It is not common knowledge that grief therapy is accessible through AHS
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Finding a family doctor is a major challenge in Alberta today
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Walk-in clinics and wait times are getting worse and worse, deterring patients from getting help
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Persistent stigma around mental health can deter individuals from going to a medical centre for help with their mental health, especially in small towns where support is limited and rumours are often unlimited.
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If the AHS psychologist isn't a good fit for a client, they may have no other options for grief counselling
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REALITY:
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Not all funeral homes run grief support groups.
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Funeral homes can be intimidating
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Group therapy isn't appealing to everyone.
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Funeral home grief support groups tend only to accept a small number of attendees
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Grief support groups are typically run over months as weekly sessions, closing registrations until the next session begins, leaving others on a waitlist for weeks or months.
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REALITY:
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Grief is a taboo subject for many, just like depression and other mental health illnesses once were. We are expected to simply deal with grief as if it doesn't alter our identity, our day-to-day life, and our well-being. Alberta can - and should - do better.
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Not everyone "gets through it." Unmanaged grief can have profound impacts on our society, including employment issues, family and relationship breakdowns, and even addiction issues.
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Grief can have a negative impact on employment, relationships, addictions issues,
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If every person is guaranteed to experience grief, why is it that only some people have the privilege of accessing support when needed?
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Grief is normal, yes, but so are financial struggles, sickness/injury, welcoming new children into a family, and countless other life events. Yet, support for most other life events is normal and government-backed. Grief support should be available to 100% of people because 100% of people will experience grief.
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