Summer Blog - Healing After Suicide Loss

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada
July2023

This summer, Healing to The Max, Inc. hosted an international healing retreat for survivors of a traumatic loss by suicide. We spent three wonderful days at

Ancient Spirals Retreat, located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River, learning more techniques to help reinforce our healing journey, and expanding our personal networks of support! There were a variety of therapeutic art projects that helped us honour our everlasting and enduring connection we share with our loved one. As well, there we had two experts come in, and introduce us to the benefits of Reiki Healing, and Craniosacral Therapy. Joanne McGrath, Master Reiki Healer offered participants mini healing sessions on our first evening together. The next day, Helene Grimard, B.A. M.ED., CST-D, Craniosacral Diplomate Therapist offered healing sessions following a lovely nature hike and lunch. Joanne came back that afternoon as well to make sure that all our participants had the opportunity to experience a healing session. We continued to work on our therapeutic art projects, visited, and snacked on delicious baked goods that were generously donated by a local bakery; Honey Bun Cafe. That evening, we enjoyed a BBQ supper together, and handed out door prizes in a raffle draw style. All the items were donated by local business from Saskatoon, and everyone went home with a little gift of care from this amazing event! We enjoyed listening to music, and sitting around the campfire before saying goodnight on day two. Our final day of the retreat began with an introduction to Grief Yoga, followed by a pancake brunch. We did one final 
therapeutic art project, and discussion illustrating how grief and joy can coexist in our future. We had tea, coffee, more homemade baked goods, and with many warm tears of friendship, we said our final farewells.

We would like to acknowledge our many sponsors of this event. Their contributions helped us facilitate an experience that will be cherished by our whole team, and all our deserving participants, for many years to come! We were deeply touched, and left speechless at the outpouring of support from our community!

LOVE MY MIND, INC.
CANDLE LAKE FUN RUN
DONS PHOTOGRAPHY
HONEY BUN CAFE
BEPPI’S GELATO
OUTTER LIMITS
UNDERGROUND CAFE
DHARMA CHAKRA
NORDON DRUGS AND MEDICAL
BILLS HOUSE OF FLOWERS

We were able to offer accommodation, all the meals and snacks, professional healing sessions, and supplies for the art projects at no-cost to our participants for the entire weekend! It has long been a dream of mine to ensure that meaningful support be made available to everyone in their time of great need. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for helping Healing to The Max be a beacon of hope for so many, during their time of great need.