With the aim of supporting individuals who are currently going through a period of grief, Balance Holistic Counselling is hosting a number of ongoing support groups throughout the month of March.
Originating from a program initially launched by W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home, the same four support groups are set up as a come-and-go, free flowing society of like-minded individuals who understand each other’s unique situation. Group members provide mutual support in an environment focused on empathy and respect.
“(Each group) is about seeking comfort in times of loss, and the group really is there to provide a safe haven for those (who) are dealing with grief and experiencing grief,” explained Brenda Zinn, a clinical social worker and counsellor at Balance Holistic Counselling.
“Our whole job is to companion people in their journey. Everybody that’s in that group… understands how difficult it can be to navigate that route through the complexities of loss.”
Balance Holistic Counselling operates with the goal of promoting personal harmony through empathetic, supportive, down-to-earth, and creative healing.
Holistic counselling, which is the technique employed by Balance, is an approach to therapy that prioritizes individuality when formulating a treatment strategy. This personal approach works in contrast to other approaches that simply focus on specific issues or isolated symptoms.
“You are a multi-faceted being and healing must take into consideration all aspects of you,” the organization’s website stated.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the prevalence of suicide in Saskatchewan is 13.8 deaths for every 100,000 individuals. This has been described as one of the highest among Canadian provinces and territories, and in 2023 alone, 230 people died by suicide in the province.
There are plenty of resources available for anyone going through a mental health crisis and it’s always a good idea to direct an individual going through troubling times with these resources. This includes the support groups held locally to address this issue.
“If they are already seeking counselling, (the best approach) is to ensure that they connect with their counsellor,” Zinn explained. “Just being there (and) being understanding (is important).”
In March, there will be four upcoming meetings with two taking place virtually and two held in person at the South Hill Medical Clinic (now Alliance Health).
The two in-person support groups are the Hope Support Group and the Bereaved Parent Grief Support group. Once all individuals have arrived, the free-flowing discussion begins with light moderation from a facilitator such as Zinn.
The Hope Support Group: will meet next on March 13 at 6:30 p.m. and is intended for all individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one.
The Bereaved Parent Group: will meet on March 20 at 6:30 p.m. This group is intended for parents who have experienced the loss of a child.
The two virtual support groups include Survivors of Suicide Loss Grief Support and Common Ground for Bereaved Spouses.
The Survivors of Suicide Loss Group: meets on March 27 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom.
Common Ground for Bereaved Spouses: meets virtually at 1 p.m. on March 13, 20, and 27.
“Our groups provide a safe haven for those who are dealing with grief. It’s just to assist with the heavy weight of that, (by providing) either ideas, a listening ear, support, or empathy,” Zinn said.
All meetings are held in strict confidence and provide an environment free of judgment or negativity.
“We’re just aiming for a sanctuary where people can share grief with others who have been through similar experiences. They can expect empathy and respect (in turn)… and a warm embrace. We’re just there to support (them).”
To register, contact Zinn at BalanceHolistic.sh@gmail.com.
The South Hill Medical Clinic is located at 800 Lillooet Street West and can be reached at 306-556-1344. All group meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run for approximately one hour.
To access meetings held on the Zoom app, visit BalanceHolisitic.My.Canva.Site to register or call Zinn at 639-538-0169. Registered members will receive a regular email containing a Zoom link to announce the next scheduled meeting.
Suicide resources
Balance Holistic Counselling: is located at 890-A Lillooet Street West and can be reached at 639-538-0169. For more information, visit BalanceHolisitic.My.Canva.Site.
Journey to Hope: is a local organization focused on spreading suicide awareness. For more information, contact Della Ferguson at Info@HopeSummit.ca.
811 Helpline: in Canada, anyone can dial 811 to access a health service navigator who can help provide information including resources pertaining to suicide or other mental health concerns.
988 Helpline: for a safe space to talk on a 24-hour basis, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline by dialing 988.
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: has information and resources at SuicidePrevention.ca.
