[Please use care when checking out the following organizations, groups, and links. They may not be exactly what you need or are looking for. Please let me know if anything on this page, links especially, need to be updated!]
A huge inspiration behind my new poetry book, Someday Somewhere Beautiful by Kelsay Books, is pregnancy loss. My husband and I experienced a miscarriage 1 trimester into our first pregnancy. It was a devastating loss for us, and as I poured my grief into poetry, I also became aware of how few local resources there are for parents experiencing a pregnancy loss.
To help with that, I’ve started compiling a list of resources on Vancouver Island in the hopes that it may help someone else! It’s not a long list, but I hope to add to it as I get connected to more people and groups offering relevant services.
Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Nanaimo
My husband and I actually attended their free peer counseling sessions to help us process our loss. The team there was so amazing and thoughtful; I can highly recommend them.
Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria
Royal Oak launched Canada’s first memorial park for parents grieving a miscarriage. Reach out to the team there to see how you can commemorate your little one in their Little Spirit Garden.
The Compassionate Friends, Qualicum Beach
While they facilitate grief support groups all over Canada, there is at least one on the island, connected to Oceanside Hospice Society in Qualicum Beach. Carrie Hohnstein is the facilitator there and can be reached at 250.618.3920 or at hohnstein@shaw.ca.
Pacific Perinatal Foundation, Victoria: The Pacific Perinatal Foundation exists to offer hope and healing for individuals and families navigating pregnancy, infant, and reproductive loss on Vancouver Island. We are committed to providing compassionate, accessible, and integrated support services that meet people where they are in their journey.
Resting Place Society, Comox Valley: Among other services, they host groups and one-on-one support for infant loss. Whether it is grief due to a past abortion, miscarriage, or other types of infant loss.
Healing Hearts – Peer Support: A private Facebook group for a community of people on Vancouver Island who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, that offers participants a safe place to share stories, connect with others, and feel supported and validated in their journey.
Haven Pregnancy Support Clinic, Victoria: They have two one-on-one courses to choose from, one in which their certified Grief Recovery Method specialist walks alongside clients through the Grief Recovery Handbook. Alternatively, their client advocate can support you through a healing journey designed for pregnancy loss. This is a 3-6 week course that allows clients to tell their story and process how they are coping with their loss.
Crisis & Helpline Services
Vancouver Island Crisis Line: Call 1-888-494-3888 for immediate, confidential emotional support available 24/7.
BC Bereavement Helpline: Call 1-877-779-2223 to connect with regional grief support groups and specialized peer networks.
