Do People Want to Talk About Grief?

I can't tell you how many times someone has started talking to me about their grief and stopped suddenly to say "Oh, you don't want to hear about all that" and "I'm so sorry, I'm rambling on now." I always take time to remind them that I do want to hear it, and that here and now are the right time and place to discuss it, no matter where I am.

People think that grief isn't something others want to hear about: this couldn't be farther from the truth.

Countless people have a grief story they want to share. Our hearts need witness.

And what's more, most of the people I talk to want to share their story in the hopes that it will help others. Do you see it? That's a longing for human connection.

So let's talk about it.

Grief is a journey no one should have to walk alone—but in Alberta, too many people are forced to.

We live in a province known for its strength, resilience, and community spirit. Yet when it comes to grief, most Albertans are left to suffer quietly, behind closed doors. If you’ve ever lost someone, gone through a divorce, lost financial stability, or had your bodily safety taken from you, you already know how isolating it can feel. But for rural residents, First Nations communities, seniors, and low-income families, that isolation is made worse by a devastating lack of resources.

Funeral homes are trying. Health Care Providers are trying. Some offer group sessions. Others refer families to counselling.

But grief is not a one-size-fits-all experience—and group sessions or referral-only pathways don’t work for everyone. Sometimes, what a person needs most is someone to sit with them, one-on-one, and help them make sense of the emotional wreckage that loss leaves behind.

At Lean on Me Network Association, we’re working to change that.

We believe grief support should be a right—not a privilege. We believe in therapy that’s accessible, in community members trained in grief care, and in shifting the public narrative so grief isn’t something we hide or feel ashamed of.

We believe that when someone is grieving, the answer to "Can I get help?" should always be yes.

Through our five core programs we’re building a grief support network that actually meets people where they are. And we're not just addressing loss after death. We're addressing loss in all its forms—health, home, identity, safety, culture. And we're doing it through funded therapy, grassroots training, awareness campaigns, and collaboration with local businesses and care providers that want to see their communities thrive.

The truth is this: 100% of people will grieve in their lifetime. And 100% of people deserve support when they do.

This is your invitation to get involved. We're putting together a collection of grief stories to serve as a resource for others who might be going through the same experience.

This is your sign to open up and become a part of the movement to change how we handle grief in Alberta.

Do you have a grief story you'd like to share? Add your story to our collective of real stories from real Albertans.

To submit a story, click the button below.

Share your Story

Yours,

Jes Knoop

Founder