Community Resources for Grief and Bereavement
Many people are unaware of what resources are in their own community.
Skye Blue Acres is here to help.
One of the most prevalent messages we hear from our clients is that they don’t know where to find the support they need or want when managing loss, change and/or grief and bereavement. You will be amazed at how many online resources are increasingly becoming available including text services, apps, online chats, podcasts, webinars, online “ask an expert”, e-courses, group support, skype counseling etc. Being able to use your cellphone or laptop to search for and access support offers lots of privacy, anonymity and the ability to search when it works best for you.
It’s important that we not only provide an exceptional equine experience at Skye Blue Acres, but that we also provide you with information for additional support that is available in the Guelph Wellington community and surrounding areas. This list provides services we are aware of and not an endorsement of any organization. All of these organizations have a website that lists all of the unique services and resources they offer. Please check out the following websites for more information.
Guelph (and immediate surrounding areas)
*We commit to update the resource list regularly as we become more and more aware of resources. Please let us know if you are aware of a local resource we can add to the list.
Online Resources from Canada & Around the World
Canada
http://www.mygrief.ca
https://kidsgrief.ca/
https://livingmyculture.ca/culture/
https://grievingchildrencanada.org/ (Canadian Alliance for Grieving Children and Youth)
https://www.chpca.net/family-caregivers.aspx (Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association)
https://whatsyourgrief.com/ (What’s Your Grief)
USA
https://www.dougy.org/
https://childrengrieve.org/ (National Alliance for Grieving Children)
https://elunanetwork.org/
A List of Recommended Books
*Source: Children and Youth Grief Network website (www.childrenandyouthgriefnetwork.com)
The value of reading for adults and children is immeasurable. Books help us all to understand change and the strong emotions that accompany it. Using stories along with providing creative expressive activities can be a great way to support children and youth experiencing grief and bereavement. Reading together with your child also gives your child a sense of safety, intimacy, a sense of well-being and can be equally as rewarding and bonding for the parent. Youth, adults and parents also benefit greatly from the emotional support that books provide following a death or loss.
The following top 3 books in several age categories have received outstanding reviews from the readers and practitioners from the CYGN.
Young Children (4-8 yr olds)
– When Dinosaurs Die – By Laurie Kransny
– Lifetimes: A Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children – By Bryan Mellonie
– I Miss You: A First Look at Death By Pat Thomas
Older Children (9-12)
– Children Also Grieve – By Linda Goldman
-Tear Soup: A recipe for Healing After Loss – By Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen
-The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages – By Leo Buscaglia
Youth (13-18)
-Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love – By Earl A. Grollman
-The Secret C: Straight Talking About Cancer – By Julie A. Stokes
-The Last Invisible Boy – By Evan Kuhlman
Adults (19 and older)
-When a Parent is Sick: Helping Parents Explain Serious Illness to Children – By Joan Hamilton
– A Parents Guide to Raising Grieving Children – By Phyilis Silverman
-It’s OK that You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture that Doesn’t Understand – By Megan Devine
Other Helpful Book Lists:
Andrea Warnick Consulting
C. Elizabeth Dougherty Consulting
Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre
The Lighthouse Centre for Grieving Children
Heart House Hospice
Other Helpful Resources:
Resources for parents, teachers and families plus research, video’s, E-course for parents, tip-sheets, podcasts, tool-kits