Heather O'Brien Counselling

03/11/2021

“Early last year, our lives, and the lives of everyone around the world, were forever changed by the emergence of COVID-19. Today – one year after the first known death of a Canadian to the disease – we now mourn the tragic loss of more than 22,000 parents, siblings, friends, and loved one."
PM Justin Trudeau

As you mourn and honour today, remember to stay open to how you can bring love into the life of the grieving around you.

03/09/2021

What a rich and powerful quote.

03/09/2021

Although adults may not choose bubble letters with dots to represent their coping tools, the idea of scaling problems is a great tool to introduce to children as young as toddlers, and to use throughout the life span. This has been an especially helpful tool as I work with children and youth to break down the HUGE covid problem into smaller problems that impact their lives directly. Do you do this in your life?

03/08/2021

Happy International Women's Day🙋‍♀️

May we celebrate in where we come from, who we are, and what the future holds for our girls.

03/04/2021

Sleep keeps coming up in my conversations with clients. It seems to be one of the many things that are taking a hit with living in pandemic times. As you take a minute to check your sleep and bedtime habits, remember that sleep is a long game. Any changes that you make will take a bit of time to set and help you snooze with more ease. I tell kids it is like the difference between air-dry and baked clay :)

02/28/2021

I have had such a rich week of learning and reunion this past week interviewing friends about caring for kiddos that have a Rare disease or disorder. The interviews were full of love, hope, grief, struggle and resilience.

On this last day of February this community and their allies come together to recognize all that Rare is, and what Rare needs from those around.

With 1/12 people living with a rare disease, this is an issue that deserves and demands more care, attention and problem solving.

Take a moment to learn more. The more we know...
Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
https://www.raredisorders.ca

If you don't see the subtitles, make sure to activate them by clicking on the subtitle button. Or choose the language you would like the subtitles in under s...

02/26/2021

What a wonderful learning opportunity being offered this Saturday via zoom.

Essence of Mind and BrAIDS for AIDS Presents:

"Lift Every Voice" Building Resilience Through Dealing with Stigma

In Celebration of Black History Month, join us for our event that will help shine light on Mental Illness and help defeat the stigma.

Hear uplifting stories from individuals who have faced /are facing the wrath of a mental illness and just how they are still able be a beaming light.

Saturday: Feb 27, 2021

Time: 1-3pm

Via: Zoom

With Special Guest Speakers:

Dr. Adisa, Psychologist

Desiree Kerr -Living Experience

Jelani Daniels-Poet

and Asante Haughton - Community Worker/Mental Health Advocate.

This seminar will be an in depth conversation about:

-Mental Health

-HIV/AIDS

-Black Identify

-The Healing Process



Hosted on the ZOOM platform. The link will be emailed to registered guests.

Register here on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lift-every-voice-building-resilience-through-dealing-with-stigma-tickets-141189113439

For more information email monique.hughes@braidsforaids.com or info@myessenceofmind.org

Thanks everyone!

We look forward to seeing you!

Please share! :)



www.myessenceofmind.org
www.braidsforaids.com

💚

02/24/2021

Today is Anti-Bullying Day - I love the messages of kindness that are being shared around the country today. It is so important that our children and youth understand the power of kindness. It is also so very important that we start helping the next generation learn the tools that they can use to deal with bullying when they see it, are a victim or a bully. I like the image below as one of the tools that kids can use to remember that bullying has different costumes that it wears and it is not always as easy to spot as name-calling or punching.

02/18/2021

There are many reasons that peer support groups work. One of the main elements is that members get to hear pieces of their experience being spoken by others. It takes a bite out of the guilt and negative self-talk.
This article talks about what I have been calling the covid-collapse. It is a good read for those looking to better understand what might be happening for their little humans.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/15/parenting/kids-tantrums-advice.html?fbclid=IwAR1QlVAEPNGBz_Vd_nnmL3TojtvUuIoy8Pi_o4ifiAztnW2IlG4dgn9UMQk

And how to nip them in the bud before they start.

02/15/2021

02/13/2021

There is so much awesomeness in this project, this story, this song ...
I love when messages are shared in a new way that will give more people opportunity to receive.

Thank you Stories for Caregivers for making this happen.

02/12/2021

Upopolis is an amazing platform that creates a safe connection for youth navigating chronic and critical illness, siblings, and youth navigating grief. This looks really great!

Do you know a bereaved youth? We’re hosting a FREE workshop and meet & greet. Story mapping allows bereaved youth to create a legacy for their loved ones. It’s therapeutic, fun, and an amazing way to remember this special person.

Send us a message so we can help get them signed up to Upopolis!

02/11/2021

Thanks to my prorgram for sharing this.

Simple acts are often all that we can ask of ourselves during unbearable times. So lovely to see this captured.

02/10/2021

I Love this. What a great image to remind us that things are not always as they appear. Imagine telling someone that you can't wait to see what majesty those hard earned roots will grow.

Thanks Bless the Messy

Remind children that struggles can also bring incredible strength.

02/06/2021

Did you know that grief is an involuntary reaction to loss. Did you know that the fact that you can't control your grief is not a weakness?

02/04/2021

It is Black History month.

The history written in 2020 was so many things: complex, so inspiring and so heartbreaking. Loss and grief flooded black communities and fuelled advocacy, demonstration and allyship. This year humbled me. It highlighted gaps in my foundation and a need for ongoing, hard, inward reflection. Throughout the month I will share some of the resources and trainings that are out there to help grief professionals be better.

Stacy Scott, the Executive Director of Baby 1st Network partners with NICHQ - National Institute for Children's Health Quality to offer 'Social Determinants of Grief: The impact of black infant loss'. You can access the webinar by clicking below.

Note: although the presenters of this webinar are American and pulling statistics from the states, the determinants of grief they share are not limited to the American experience.

This webinar will offer insight on how some women of color deal with compounded loss and trauma. Participants will walk away with an opportunity to gain additional knowledge on how to best serve communities of color affected by infant loss.

02/02/2021

Imagine if there was a groundhog that could tell you how many more months of heavy grief are ahead of you.

One of the things I hear often is that it can feel like grief is sneaky. You think you have turned a corner and are coming out of the fog only to find yourself back in the thick of it.

* Adult language warning*

It is in fact so sneaky that there is an aptly named blog that I have been enjoying. Lisa Keefauver over at Reimagining Grief chats with guests from "CEO’s and social workers to authors, educators, filmmakers and stay-at-home moms. Her guests open up about the complexity, confusion, and even confidence they have gained by navigating a grief journey of their own." https://reimagininggrief.com/podcast-gsb-1

Photo credit: Avanti Press

01/31/2021