Soon, 43 northerners will be trained in edu-therapy. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

suicide awareness

Embracing Life busy with edu-therapy training, upcoming northern showcase

Apr 27, 2021 | 2:19 PM

Northerners trained in edu-therapy are ready to assist others when it comes to resolving emotional pain that results from unhealthy grieving.

That’s according to Embracing Life Initiative co-chairperson Linda Cairns, who said in April, 21 northerners completed the training and are willing to use their new skills to be on the forefront of future change. In the last 14 years, Cairns estimates she assisted around 500 people when it comes to dealing with grief and moving forward.

“There are many losses we suffer almost daily, but grief is a topic we don’t talk about very much either,” she said. “Those people who are trained will then be able to do one-on-one work with people who are grieving and can’t seem to find a way of moving from the past to the present, and then hope for a future to come. There’s also the opportunity to do groups.”

Cairns explained dealing with grief can involve a variety of issues not associated with death such as the loss of a job, self-esteem, a relationship or trust. It can also be the result of abuse or come with failing an exam.

Next week, another group of facilitators will begin training in edu-therapy, which can take a few hours per week for six to eight weeks.

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“We’ll have 43 people in the north who are willing and able to do work with people who may be interested,” Cairns said.

Nominations for award showcase opens

The Embracing Life Initiative is also currently accepting nominations for its Northern Successes Showcase. Individuals are encouraged to nominate a northern project, youth, leader or mentor in one of nine award categories by May 7.

Those categories include youth action council award, northern project award, youth mentor award, embracing life advocate award and non-profit/community group award. Two individuals will be recognized in the community champion award and youth role model award categories.

Details about the Northern Successes Showcase. (Embracing Life Initiative/Facebook)

“It’s much more proactive to talk about life and living rather than death and dying,” Cairns said. “When we talk about life and living, we then include the initiatives that we have and the biggest one is suicide is a serious problem, but nothing is going to happen unless the person who feels like that feels comfortable in talking about it and asking for help.”

More information about the Northern Successes Showcase can be found on the Embracing Life Initiative Facebook page.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno