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Bereavement Wellness Program

Support for those who have recently lost a loved one

Bereavement Support

Bereavement Wellness Program

Hospice Quinte’s 6-week Bereavement Wellness Program is designed to provide support for individuals who are experiencing grief due to the expected death of someone close to them. Groups are offered at select times throughout the year for people 18 years of age and older who have experienced a loss more than three months ago, but no longer than three years ago.  You may experience a wait time of several weeks before a group starts. Bereavement Wellness groups will be offered in September, November, January, March and May – five times per year, dependent on having enough participants.

This program offers a safe and nurturing environment to explore your grief outside of your normal social network, discover coping strategies, share experiences with others in a similar situation, and establish connections to decrease social isolation.  The program aims to provide a supportive and transformative experience that honors your unique grief journey and helps you navigate the challenges of loss.

The Bereavement Wellness Program is not appropriate for those who have lost someone in a traumatic way (or perceived to be a traumatic death) such as suicide, overdose, tragic accident, or the loss of an infant, child or teenager. Please see our Resources page/ Helpful Links for specific bereavement resources: hospicequinte.ca/resources/links

The Bereavement Wellness Program is Not Grief Counselling or Therapy

It’s important to note that the Bereavement Wellness Program is not a substitute for therapy or professional counseling. While it provides valuable support and resources, it does not replace the expertise and personalized care offered by trained therapists. If you require therapeutic intervention, we encourage you to seek assistance from licensed mental health professionals. The Bereavement Wellness Program may complement, but does not replace, therapy or counseling services.

How the Program Works

Participants meet in person once a week for six weeks.  The program focuses on several key elements to help participants navigate their grief journey:

Exploring Grief Outside Your Normal Social Network: Grief can be an isolating experience, and sometimes it’s difficult to open up about your feelings to friends and family. This program provides a supportive space where you can freely express your emotions and connect with others who understand what you’re going through.

Coping Strategies: Throughout the program, you’ll discover coping strategies and techniques to support you as you work toward personal growth in grief.

Sharing Experiences: Sharing your grief journey with others who have experienced similar loss can be helpful. In the program, you’ll have the opportunity to share your experiences, listen to others, and gain valuable insights and perspectives. This shared connection can provide comfort and validation.

Establishing Connection: The program emphasizes the importance of building connections with fellow participants. By fostering a sense of community and mutual support, the program aims to reduce social isolation and provide a network of individuals who can offer ongoing support beyond the program’s duration.

Bereavement Support Groups

Please see the list of agencies below that offer bereavement support groups:

Bereaved Families of Ontario/Kingston has a variety of monthly in-person and virtual support groups.

Grief Share is a 10-week grief support program that has a faith-based approach held at Maranatha Church in Belleville.

Enrichment Centre for Mental Health offers community counselling and support groups for anxiety, depression, and suicide bereavement.

Crisis Line

Community Programs