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Finding support after loss: Groups, resources and online communities

Losing someone deeply shapes our emotional world. At MAID Family Support Society, we understand grief’s powerful impact and share your desire for connection and support. Whether you’re navigating grief after medical assistance in dying (MAID) or any significant loss, finding the right support can make all the difference.

Why connection and guidance matter in grief

Grief is highly personal, yet deeply communal. Studies show that grief support groups help people feel less alone and learn coping strategies HealthlineHealth. Group grief counseling often reduces depressive symptoms through shared understanding and emotional expression. Different types of grief—like anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, or prolonged grief—each benefit from tailored support.

Top support avenues to explore

Canadian-based organizations and programs
  • MyGrief.ca – A free, confidential, self-paced online platform developed by grief specialists and Canadians with lived experience. It provides modules on anticipatory grief, family dynamics, and personal coping strategies.
  • Healing Hearts Bereavement Support (Moms Stop The Harm) – Offers free virtual Zoom groups across Canada, including specialized sessions for siblings or partners, and groups by province.
  • Bereaved Families of Ontario – Offers peer-led bereavement support across Ontario, facilitated by trained volunteers who have also experienced loss.
  • PAIL Network (Pregnancy & Infant Loss Network) – Provides compassionate peer and professional support for those mourning pregnancy or infant loss across Ontario.
  • Bereavement Ontario Network (BON) – A wide-reaching network of grief professionals and volunteers across the province, offering diverse support resources.
  • Centre for Grief and Healing – Offers free, community-driven peer grief support in Ontario, through both group and individual sessions.
  • CMHA Toronto’s Grief Support Program – A free drop-in program combining gentle educational content with supportive, judgment-free group discussions.
International and virtual options
  • GriefShare: A structured 13-week program with weekly video seminars, workbooks, and group discussions, offered both in-person and online. It’s a globally respected resource that empowers through shared stories and grief education.
  • The Compassionate Friends: A peer support network specifically for parents grieving the loss of a child, with chapters in Canada and worldwide.
  • The Dinner Party: A unique group-format support space, originally for young adults, where members gather over potluck meals (in person or virtual) to share grief stories in safe, facilitated environments.
  • DailyStrength: A supportive social network hosting dozens of grief-related groups – online forums where journaling and peer interaction offer solace.

How to get started: First steps toward connection

  • Define your needs: Do you prefer local or digital? Structured or open? Group-based or one-on-one?
  • Research timely options: Many groups run in cycles – check schedules and registration.
  • Try a session or two: It’s okay if the first isn’t the perfect fit. Grief support often requires exploring multiple spaces.
  • Supplement with self-guided tools: journaling, memory rituals, or guided workbooks.
  • Lean on your existing network, but don’t be beholden to it: Peer groups and online forums often offer understanding when friends or family can’t fully relate.

Final thoughts

Grief doesn’t vanish, but healing and connection can emerge when we reach out. Whether it’s a local peer circle, a virtual group, or an inspired online space that speaks to you, there are pathways forward. You’re not alone – support exists, and MAID Family Support is here to help you find it. If you’re grieving a MAID deaht and you’d like help finding support, we’re here to guide you.

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