Overview
When faced with a terminal illness you can somehow feel like you're the only one who is in the situation, certainly amongst those who are closest to you. All of you may be struggling with how best to talk about what's happening - when is the best time, or who wants to talk about what you're going through. Working through the palliative experience often requires external support, this section will lead you directly to resources and people who aid in navigating and recovering from grief, bereavement, and end-of-life situations.
Counselors and Support Groups
Brenda Gibbs
Counsellor, MCP, CCC, BEd (she, her)
"There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grief. My professional qualifications and lived experience with loss provide a safe space to walk with you and your grief. Together, we will design an individualized plan that is right for you."
Location:
603 Lenore Drive, (306) 517-6684
Vangool Wellness and Physiotherapy
1-3026 Taylor Street East, (306) 242-9355
For a free 15-minute consultation please call: (306) 517-6684
Bereaved Caregivers: Living Through Loss (Support Group)
Hosted by Brenda Gibbs
Group Meets
Every Wed 2 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Location
Queens House of Retreat and Renewal
601 Taylor St W, (306) 242-1916
Organizations
End-of-life Doula Association of Canada
An organization with a holistic, individual, person-centered quality care approach.
End-of-life doulas empower, educate, and encourage people and their families to be involved in making decisions. A death doula supports a person during the dying process, specific to that person's needs, beliefs, and desires.
"We see death as a process rather than an event that takes place over time. We see building relationships with the person as the key to supporting them in their journey. We see a person as being made up of a unique set of circumstances and beliefs. We see the person as an individual."
To learn more: https://endoflifedoulaassociation.org
Doulagivers Institute
An organization born of the perceived failures of standard medical care for the elderly. Doulagivers consists of Suzanne B. O’Brien’s training programs for end-of-life doulas.
To find local Doulas: https://www.doulagivers.com/find-a-end-of-life-doula/
To find free resources: https://www.doulagivers.com/free-resource-page/
Client Patient Access Services (CPAS)
An organization meant to provide quality at-home care services for a myriad of conditions including palliative care.
Location:
310 Idylwyld Dr N, (306) 655-4346
Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)
This provincially sanctioned organization is meant to aid people in various health services. Their palliative-specific services include:
Medical Assistance in Dying: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/medical-assistance-dying
Hospice care: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/healthline-online/aa114690#aa114758
Advance Care Planning: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/advance-care-planning
Care at end-of-life: https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/your-health/conditions-diseases-services/healthline-online/aa129753
Child Palliative Care: https://momsandkidssask.saskhealthauthority.ca/infant-child-health/specialty-care/palliative-care
Caring Hearts
Caring Hearts is a group that supports the community in navigating grief, loss, and trauma through counseling, mental health support, and education. Their services include services include, support groups, counseling services, education programs, and grief camps for those struggling to cope with grief, loss, and/or trauma.
Other Resources
To find more local counselors who specialize in grief, bereavement, and end-of-life navigation please visit:
https://www.theravive.com/cities/sk/grief-counselling-saskatoon.aspx
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/saskatchewan?category=grief
https://www.theravive.com/cities/sk/
To find current and future grief support groups meeting weekly in Saskatchewan: