Dealing with grief and loss can be a hard to talk about so a grassroots non-profit group, Northern Conversations, is hosting an event March 22 to air these topics in the open.
Petra Schulz, co-founder of Moms Stop the Harm from Edmonton and TEDx guest, will be speaking about the loss of her son to the opioid crisis and how she has dealt with the fallout.
Photo courtesy of Petra Schulz
SA国际影视传媒淭he opioid crisis is not just happening in the south,SA国际影视传媒� Schulz said. SA国际影视传媒淚 know it has touched people's lives and it is an honour for me to come and speak with people in the North.SA国际影视传媒�
Schulz said the whole purpose of the talk is to help people open up about the things which can be most difficult, like the tragic loss of a loved one.
SA国际影视传媒淭hese topics that people don't like to talk about,SA国际影视传媒� Schulz said. SA国际影视传媒淚f you mention you lost your son, that's a conversation killer. But if we're not open to talk then people aren't able to ask for the help that they need.SA国际影视传媒�
Michael Gannon, president of Northern Conversations, said this talk is aligned with the group's mandate to touch on tough topics relevant to Northerners, regardless of generations or demographics.
SA国际影视传媒淲e want to get enduring conversations started in the community about some of the topics that have large impacts on all of our lives but are talked about the least,SA国际影视传媒� Gannon said.
During the afternoon, Schulz will be putting on an invitation-only talk on harm reduction talk before addressing the public for a talk later in the evening.
SA国际影视传媒淚 understand that people are going to use drugs,SA国际影视传媒� Schulz said. SA国际影视传媒淚t has been criminalized and stigmatized so talking about the issues can be an issue especially for families but they should not be ashamed to want help.SA国际影视传媒�
France Benoit, active gardener, filmmaker and environmental activist will also be joining Benoit for the evening to discuss the loss of her husband and what she learned dealing with it.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was invited to join the talk since the topics we're covering really dove-tail together so we can work together to find a way out of the suffering,SA国际影视传媒� Benoit said.
Benoit said that everyone will experience the grief of loss in their lives
SA国际影视传媒淭here can be so much to grieve about in the world but if we can learn how to deal with it, we can find room in our hearts for joy and things to celebrate.SA国际影视传媒�
The talk open to the public will be held at 7 p.m. at the Baker Centre on March 22.
