Paige Desmond
Loss effects everyone differently. Sadness, anger, confusion, and other emotions can be consuming.
But there are healthy ways to deal with those feelings, one of which is a 10-week “Grief Recovery Outreach Program” being offered by local grief counsellors Harold Tookenay and Mary Elder.
Both are certified grief recovery specialists, and are offering the program openly to Fort Frances residents for the first time.
The program begins this coming Monday (Sept. 22) and runs until Dec. 1, with classes every Monday from 7-9 p.m. at 824 Victoria Ave.
The pair are trying to get people past the idea that they should not show their grief, and that grief does not just “take time.”
“Everybody’s lost someone at some time,” noted Tookenay.
The two are mental health consultants who have 30 years’ experience counselling adults and children. They say it is important to dispel the popular myths of grief and to highlight the fact that death is not the only loss which can inflict grief.
“Whether your loss results from death, divorce, or childhood issues, recovery is possible,” states a poster for the classes. “Grief recovery requires a series of small and correct choices made by the griever.”
Tookenay and Elder say they are offering this service at the requests of local residents, who have asked that this special service be provided to the general community. In the past, it’s only been available for select participants.
The cost of the course is $250. The fee is broken down into an initial $100 deposit, followed by $30 payments every week until the course’s completion.
For more information on the grief recovery program or to register for one of the 15 -20 available spots, call 274-2779.
