Grief Support Group
Everyone grieves in their own unique way. When significant people in your life die, you may feel angry, isolated, sad, guilty and lonely.
The Grief Support Sharing Circle is an informal mutual support group, led by clinicians and campus chaplains, that provides support for students who have experienced the death of a significant person, as well as students experiencing anticipatory grief.
U of T undergraduate and graduate students across all three campuses (St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough) are welcome.
This is a mutual support group, not an educational workshop for auditing purposes. This program is also delivered in partnership with ECUT – The Ecumenical Chaplaincy at the University of Toronto.
Benefits
- Connect with other students on campus who are grieving in a supportive space.
- Share stories, experiences and struggles.
- Learn ways to heal and gain strength during difficult times.
Facilitators
- Laurie Coleman, Wellness Counsellor & Coordinator, MSW, RSW
- Jeanette Unger, Campus Chaplain, M.T.S.
Upcoming sessions
Booking is required.
Workshops take place on Tuesdays between 3 – 5 p.m.
View the list of upcoming Grief Support Group sessions on Folio or book through the links below:
Winter 2025
- Tuesday, January 14, 3 – 5 p.m. (In-person)
- Tuesday, February 11, 3 – 5 p.m. (Virtual)
- Tuesday, March 18, 3 – 5 p.m. (Virtual)
- Tuesday, April 15, 3 – 5 p.m. (In-person)
*The Folio link is only accessible to people who are eligible to register for the Grief Support Group program. This program is open to University of Toronto undergraduate and graduate students across all three campuses (St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough)
Additional support for students
If you need to talk to someone right now, call U of T Telus Health Student Support (formerly U of T My SSP) at 1-844-451-9700. Outside of North America, call 001-416-380-6578 for mental health and counselling services in 146 languages.
Mental health support for students is also available through U of T’s Health & Wellness mental health care service. You can get help with clarifying issues, understanding and managing your emotions, relationships and responses, and support in dealing with challenges effectively.
You may find you need an academic deferral to help you through your time of grieving. Undergraduate students should contact their registrar’s office by email and inform them of the situation. Students may also wish to notify their professors or TAs. Graduate students should contact their professors and their department graduate coordinator.
Multi-Faith Faith Leaders offer spiritual care in times of grief and perform rites of passage including funerals and memorials.
For students experiencing pet loss:
Support for faculty and staff
Faculty and staff can access the Employee and Family Assistance Program, a free confidential information, counselling and referral service. The service is provided by LifeWorks. Immediate access to professional counsellors is available by phone at 1-855-597-2110. If you need face-to-face counselling, an appointment will be scheduled. You can also arrange for telephone or e-counselling.
Find other grieving resources from CAMH (PDF).
