Welcome to the BC Bereavement Helpline
The BC Bereavement Helpline (BCBH) is here for you. We are a non-profit, free, and confidential service that connects the public to grief support services within the province of BC. Whether you are looking for bereavement support groups, community events, information on BC Bereavement Day, information on how to donate or to volunteer with us you will find it here. Please call the BC Bereavement Helpline and speak with one of our caring volunteers for information on our bereavement support groups, agencies, and peer-based support.
Your call is free, confidential, and anonymous. We will help you find the most appropriate support for your specific type of loss.
June 12th, 2018 Crisis Response Following Sudden Death Training
The BC Bereavement Helpline received funding from the Department of Justice Canada Victims fund to support the development, design and facilitation of the “Crisis Response Following Sudden Death” training program and supplemental training manual. This program was designed specifically for victim services workers and community volunteers supporting individuals and families who have been bereaved by a sudden death. A total of 156 individuals completed the training sessions.
Sessions were held in the following 8 BC communities:
1. Victoria
2. Kamloops
3. Prince George
4. Terrace
5. Fort St. John
6. Nelson
7. Nanaimo
8. Mission
The training program was designed to take into consideration the unique aspects of each community in which it was facilitated and gave attendees valuable knowledge and insights as to the experiences felt by those in trauma, and how to learn how to best respond and support those in distress.
Participant Quotes:
“This was the best workshop I’ve been to – loved the experiential part.”
“Appreciated the focus on ‘support’ role. Valued the exercises that highlighted the need for self-awareness and recognition of core boundaries, listening skills, etc. Showed us the complexity of people experiencing loss.”
“Helps me understand better how sudden death affects people in different ways. I was interested in learning how First Nations deal with it.”
May 28th, 2018 30th Anniversary “Jam Session” Fun(d)raiser!
PUB NIGHT & FUN(D)RAISER! HAS BEEN POSTPONED
We are postponing our 30th Anniversary Jam Session celebration until later this summer! Please keep an eye here for updates. BCBH is reaching out to all those who have purchased tickets. If you have any questions, please email us at contact@bcbh.ca or call us at 604-739-9950.
November 25th, 2017 2017 Sisters in Strength Wellness Retreat
The BCBH/BCVOH 2017 Sisters in Strength Retreat was held over the weekend of Friday, October 13 – Sunday, October 15, 2017 at the Sts‘ailes Lhawathet Lalem retreat centre in Agassiz, B.C. for Indigenous women who are family members to one of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
(Photo credit Mikhail Crispin)
Fifteen First Nations women participants and ten supporters and facilitators joined together for one weekend of healing and strength building.
Testimonials from participants included:
“Being in a grassroots setting with ladies who also understand grief and loss, it brings forth the healing along with strength.”
“[The retreat] Helped me gain my balance once again.”
“[I feel] More connected with my heritage.”
BCBH would like to extend its profound gratitude to our partners for their invaluable support. We could not have done it without you.
Please see our full report here: 2017 SSWR Final Summary
BCBH acknowledges the receipt of civil forfeiture funding from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch.
June 2nd, 2017 PODCAST SERIES “VOICES OF RESILIENCE”
On Monday, May 29th BC Bereavement Helpline, the parent organization of BC Victims of Homicide, launched the original 5-part podcast series, “Voices of Resilience,” in support of National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, May 28 – June 3, 2017.
Each day that week, a new story of resilience in the face of traumatic crime was posted on this page. All podcasts are available on our videos page.
May 19th, 2017 2016-2017 BCBH Annual Report
Please click here: BCBH AR-2016-17 Final