Our work in reconciling grief or loss depends on our unique circumstances, our connection to the people involved, and the legacy or transition left behind. Often, one of our tasks is to find resources that intuitively match who we are. Feel free to consult the resources below, using your judgement to determine whether they will be helpful to your situation.
Local resources
211 Nova Scotia (dial 2-1-1)
Frequently updated lists and maps of community and social services across the province. 211 Nova Scotia offers information about grief and loss support groups and related not-for-profit organizations.
Nova Scotia Mental Health Mobile Crisis (902-429-8167 and toll free 1-888-429-8167)
Confidential, non-judgemental intervention and short term crisis management for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Consultation is also available for families, friends, and community agencies. Mental Health Mobile Crisis offers telephone response 24 hours a day across Nova Scotia and mobile response (arriving on site) in most Halifax Regional Municipality communities from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Frequently updated lists and maps of community and social services across the province. 211 Nova Scotia offers information about grief and loss support groups and related not-for-profit organizations.
Nova Scotia Mental Health Mobile Crisis (902-429-8167 and toll free 1-888-429-8167)
Confidential, non-judgemental intervention and short term crisis management for children, youth and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. Consultation is also available for families, friends, and community agencies. Mental Health Mobile Crisis offers telephone response 24 hours a day across Nova Scotia and mobile response (arriving on site) in most Halifax Regional Municipality communities from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Online resources
Canadian Cancer Society - Grief and Bereavement
A brief, plain language description of the range of emotions and physical reactions we can experience in grief. This resource reinforces that everyone grieves differently and that there is no set time period for grieving.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Grieving
A brief, plain language article that highlights suggestions for working through grief. This article includes a short list of tips for people looking to support a loved one in their grief.
Canadian Virtual Hospice
An extensive online resource about palliative care, end-of-life care, and grief and loss for patients, family members, health care providers, researchers, and educators. Website users who create a username and password can ask a palliative care-related question, via email, to a team of specialized health care providers or participate in a moderated discussion forum. This site offers a collection of practical, in-depth articles written by health care providers and an 'Asked and Answered' section.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention - After a Suicide: A Practical and Personal Guide for Suicide Survivors
A 33-page handbook that covers topics on emergency response and investigation, legal and financial matters, what to expect from yourself and others, and talking with children and adolescents about suicide. CASP offers a range of resources for individuals, families, workplaces, and communities including guides for early responders and workplace managers.
Grief Healing Blog
A daily blog by Marty Tousley, a registered nurse and grief counsellor in Florida. Started in 2009, this blog posts and archives Ms. Tousley's writings and responses to blog visitors and shares common and lesser discussed topics on grief and loss from popular websites, organizations, newspapers, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube. Website users who create a username and password can participate in a moderated discussion forum.
Open to Hope
A not-for-profit organization in California that posts resources on its website according to relationship loss. This site features many articles from guest authors and 30-minute 'Open to Hope TV' video clips and 15-minute 'Open to Hope Radio' audio clips streamed online.
A brief, plain language description of the range of emotions and physical reactions we can experience in grief. This resource reinforces that everyone grieves differently and that there is no set time period for grieving.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Grieving
A brief, plain language article that highlights suggestions for working through grief. This article includes a short list of tips for people looking to support a loved one in their grief.
Canadian Virtual Hospice
An extensive online resource about palliative care, end-of-life care, and grief and loss for patients, family members, health care providers, researchers, and educators. Website users who create a username and password can ask a palliative care-related question, via email, to a team of specialized health care providers or participate in a moderated discussion forum. This site offers a collection of practical, in-depth articles written by health care providers and an 'Asked and Answered' section.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention - After a Suicide: A Practical and Personal Guide for Suicide Survivors
A 33-page handbook that covers topics on emergency response and investigation, legal and financial matters, what to expect from yourself and others, and talking with children and adolescents about suicide. CASP offers a range of resources for individuals, families, workplaces, and communities including guides for early responders and workplace managers.
Grief Healing Blog
A daily blog by Marty Tousley, a registered nurse and grief counsellor in Florida. Started in 2009, this blog posts and archives Ms. Tousley's writings and responses to blog visitors and shares common and lesser discussed topics on grief and loss from popular websites, organizations, newspapers, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube. Website users who create a username and password can participate in a moderated discussion forum.
Open to Hope
A not-for-profit organization in California that posts resources on its website according to relationship loss. This site features many articles from guest authors and 30-minute 'Open to Hope TV' video clips and 15-minute 'Open to Hope Radio' audio clips streamed online.
Client and counsellor recommended resources
Centre for Loss and Life Transition - Bookstore
Books from Alan Wolfelt's 30-year career in grief work include: Understanding Your Grief: Helping Yourself Heal (2013 ebook, 1992 trade paperback); The Mourner's Book of Hope (2010 ebook and hardcover); and Healing a Friend or Loved One's Grieving Heart After a Cancer Diagnosis: 100 Practical Ideas for Providing Compassion, Comfort, and Care (2014 ebook and trade paperback). His materials are available through his website, Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life
Da Capo Press, 2007 ebook, 2004 trade paperback
Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, a widow and therapist, offers readers insight into forging a path through widowhood. Available through Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
The Year of Magical Thinking
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007 ebook and trade paperback
Joan Didion's autobiographical novel, a journal-style work completed nearly a year to the day following her husband's death, recounts her grief experiences. Available through Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
Books from Alan Wolfelt's 30-year career in grief work include: Understanding Your Grief: Helping Yourself Heal (2013 ebook, 1992 trade paperback); The Mourner's Book of Hope (2010 ebook and hardcover); and Healing a Friend or Loved One's Grieving Heart After a Cancer Diagnosis: 100 Practical Ideas for Providing Compassion, Comfort, and Care (2014 ebook and trade paperback). His materials are available through his website, Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life
Da Capo Press, 2007 ebook, 2004 trade paperback
Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, a widow and therapist, offers readers insight into forging a path through widowhood. Available through Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
The Year of Magical Thinking
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2007 ebook and trade paperback
Joan Didion's autobiographical novel, a journal-style work completed nearly a year to the day following her husband's death, recounts her grief experiences. Available through Halifax Public Libraries, Chapters, and Amazon.
