Sask. provides $200K to expand grief and trauma counselling services

The provincial government is providing $200K to Caring Hearts to expand grief and trauma counselling.

Caring Hearts in Regina will be expanding its grief and trauma counselling services, thanks to $200,000 in annual funding from the province.

The community-based organization provides counselling, support groups, healing circles, kids camps, and support to those experiencing grief and trauma due to situations such as homicides, workplace deaths, or the loss of a loved one to suicide.

The organization has a long history of helping people, dating back to the 1970’s as Regina Palliative Care. Before it was called Caring Hearts, it was called Greystone Bereavement Centre.

Last year, the organization worked with more than 500 families and individuals to help them find their way through the grief of losing a loved one.

“After the devastating loss of our teenage son, we turned to Caring Hearts for support,” former clients Rick and Debbie West said in a news release from the province.

“They provided immediate grief counselling to our entire family, and they continue to guide us in our ongoing healing journey. We found not only comfort and solace but friendship in a time of unimaginable pain.”

According to the province, about 75 per cent of Caring Hearts’ clients receive support in person, with 25 per cent receiving virtual support.

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“Caring Hearts extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Saskatchewan for this funding,” Caring Hearts executive director Keely Wight-Young said. “Together, we are building a more resilient Saskatchewan, where healing can begin, and no one must face grief or trauma alone.”

“I feel very blessed in the sense that we get to see the people find hope again and see that glimmer come back into their eyes, and that makes it all worth it.”

Those looking for more information or to book a session can visit the Caring Hearts website.

The province is investing $624 million towards mental health and addictions services this budget year, including $487 million for mental health.