PENTICTON, BC — It’s something that will happen to each and every one of us, but it’s a topic that no one seems to want to discuss.
That’s why a grief counselor from the U.S. is in the Okanagan.
Alan Wolfelt is breaking the silence on the delicate subject of death and loss.
“We now live in a mourning-avoidant culture where sadly, we’re told things like: carry on, keep your chin up, keep busy,” says Wolfelt. “Therefore, they have their grief inside them but they may not necessarily have places to mourn,” says Wolfelt.
Wolfelt praises the the Penticton Bereavement Resource Centre as a place to help people grieve. The centre opened in 2012.
But staff from the resource centre says it is difficult to get people to speak candidly about their loss.
“I think it is absolutely a taboo, sensitive subject that people don’t want to talk about,” says Sam Lucier.
Thursday’s one-day workshop included health care professionals, counselors and other people in the industry.
“I’m always opened to learning new things working in the field of palliative care, which includes things like death and bereavement. Even after you do it for a very long time, there’s something you can learn,” says attendee, Tania Lenning.
There is an evening workshop for members of the public who are interested in learning about the subject and want to find better ways to mourn.
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