Grief and loss are often associated with death, but there are countless other losses beyond the end of life that can trigger grief and mourning.

You may have arrived here if you’ve experienced:

• Loss of safety, including experiences of emotional, physical, or sexual violence, loss of secure housing, loss of access to resources and supports, economic insecurity, pandemic related threats to safety.

• Loss of your identity and sense of self, including the end of a relationship (divorce, affair, severed familial connections etc.), loss of job or change in careers, loss of religion or faith, recovering from significant illness or trauma.

• Loss of independence, including illness or disability that limits autonomy, declines in health with age, significant financial losses, terminal diagnoses.

• Loss of hopes and dreams, including struggles with infertility or miscarriages, coping with life limiting diagnosis for self or child, end of a relationship, end of life.

This list is not exhaustive. Grief can also be chronic (repetitive), ambiguous (without closure), and anticipatory (before the loss occurs). Counselling may be helpful if your grief:

• Significantly interferes with everyday functioning

• Impacts multiple areas of your life (relationships, work, hobbies etc.)

• Causes feelings of depression and hopelessness

There is no timeline for grief and no right or wrong way to mourn. Accessing support takes courage and vulnerability, but together we can create the space and time to process whatever you need.