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Grief Support at University of Toronto

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For Students

Counselling

Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

The focus of counselling and psychotherapy is on assisting individuals who are experiencing emotional or psychological problems or difficulties. Their goal is to help students clarify issues, to better understand emotions, relationships and responses, and to deal effectively with problems/challenges, so that students are able to achieve their personal and academic best.


http://caps.utoronto.ca/main.htm


Academic Advising

The question of academic deferrals is a common one. Undergraduate students should first contact their registrar's office by email and inform the office of the death. Additionally, undergraduate students may notify their professors or TAs.

List of Registrars:
http://www.studentlife.utoronto.ca/askme.aspx#25

Graduate students should contact their professors and the graduate coordinator in their department.

Grief Sharing

     Grief Circles
        Feb 27 and Mar 26 2012

Grief Circles

When:
Monday Feb 27 2012 5:00pm to 6:45pm
Monday Mar 26 2012 5:00pm to 6:45pm

Where: U of T, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social
            Work, 246 Bloor Street West
            (Bedford/Bloor) Room 346
To RSVP or for more information please 
E-mail: Laurie.Coleman@utoronto.ca

Description:
Everyone grieves in his or her own unique way. When someone you love dies, you may feel angry, isolated, sad, guilty, and lonely. This grief talking circle is comprised of mean and women with mixed type of loss. Specifically suited for students who have experienced the death of a grandparent, parent, spouse/partner, or close friend. In the same way we welcome student caregivers experiencing anticipatory grief.

Facilitators:
Effie Mitskopoulos (Yr. 1 MSW Student, U of T),
Michelle Rae Rizoli (Associate Chaplain, U of T), and
Laurie Coleman (RSW, Counsellor, Health and Wellness, U of T).
 

Peer Support

Students with Ailing Families

Students with Ailing Families (S.A.F.) is a student-led group that supports students coping with ailing family members or close loved ones. S.A.F. hosts peer-led meetings to share common experiences in coping and grief.

www.saf.sa.utoronto.ca


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Additional Resources for Students, Staff & Faculty


Spiritual Care

The Campus Chaplains Association (CCA)

The CCA is a Multi-Faith organization whose chaplains help make connections between an intellectual understanding of spirituality and living the reality of faith. Chaplains can offer spiritual care in times of grief and perform rites of passage including funerals and memorials.

Michele Rae Rizoli
student.minister@utoronto.ca
416-978-2785

http://www.multifaith.utoronto.ca/Campus-Chaplains-Association.htm
 

Memorial Creation

The Multi-Faith Centre offers a place where memorials can be created for  current U of T students, staff, or faculty that have passed away , similiar to a guest book at a funeral. Please click the following link to View or Create a Memorial
 
http://www.multifaith.utoronto.ca/Memorial-Page.htm


Grief Support Group

Family Care Office

The U of T Family Care Office often coordinates a bereavement support group facilitated by traiened peer support volunteers from Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto. Call 416-978-0951 or email family.care@utoronto.ca to find out if this group will be offered this year.

http://www.familycare.utoronto.ca/


Community Bereavement Resources & Groups

Bereaved Families of Toronto (No Fee)

Bereaved Families of Ontario-Toronto is a volunteer based bereavement support organization that provides programs and services based on a mutual support model to individuals, families, groups and communities throughout the city of Toronto.


Bereaved Families of Ontario (No Fee)

Bereaved Families of Ontario offers programs facilitated by trained volunteers who are themselves bereaved. All programs are offered through regional affiliates which are located across Ontario.


Survivor Support Programme (No Fee)

Through the Toronto Distress Centre, this program provides support for adults who have lost someone du to suicide or other forms of violent death.


Perinatal Bereavement Services Ontario (No Fee)

Perinatal Bereavement Services provides bereavement support services for parents adjusting to a new life after miscarriage, medical termination, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or infant death.


Wellspring (No Fee)

Wellspring is a network of community-based cancer support centres. It offers a specialized bereavement program and some individual support services for those who have lost a loved on to cancer.

 

 

Counselling (Faculty & Staff Only)


Employee and Family Assistance Program

This is a confidential information, counselling and referral service. The service is provided by Family Services Employee Assistance Programs and their staff are experienced psychologists and social workers. All services provided through this program are paid for by U of T. Immediate access to professional counsellors is available by phone through the toll-free number — 1-800-668-9920 — and if face-to-face counselling is required, an appointment will be scheduled. You can also arrange for telephone or web-based counselling.

http://www.hrandequity.utoronto.ca/support/EFAP.htm