Welcome to the forum!
I am a mother who lost her 25 year old son to Oxycontin overdose. It will be 15 years this x-mas season. I devote my time to systems level advocacy. I too have worked with Bereaved Families of Ontario. I was a board director for Bereaved Families of Ontario-Halton/Peel for three years and also did extensive training to be a peer bereavement facilitator through BFO and also through VON Halton for their hospice/palliative care programs.
I loved doing group work at BFO and I also provided one on one when possible for those whose loss was complicated do to mental health/ suicide and/or accidental overdose and addiction issues.
I also have a significant childhood trauma history living with parents struggling with mental health and addiction issues and a very toxic marriage.
I think grief/loss whether through a bereavement or 'life loss cycles' is an area that is so pervasive in terms of risk but the dots are not connected to that yet. Then of course trauma which is finally being connected to peoples wellness.
Betty-Lou Kristy
Lived Experience/‘Family’ Advocate- Mental Health, Addiction, Trauma & Bereavement