Frequently Asked Questions

What is peer support and how is it different from professional counselling?

Our support programs are facilitated by peer support volunteers, which means the people who are holding space for others have experienced their own pregnancy or infant loss. Professional counseling is provided by trained clinicians, such as social workers, psychotherapists and psychologists. PAIL Network does not provide professional counseling services and our volunteers are trained not to offer medical advice or opinions. We aim to make the space that is offered by peer support volunteers barrier-free, inclusive, free of judgement and safe, to share experiences with others who are also grieving. We can provide interpreters in several languages, at a family’s request.

Is this a crisis or distress line that I can call at any time?

PAIL Network’s phone support program does not include crisis or distress counseling.  People who receive phone support with PAIL Network have completed a request for support and are carefully matched with a peer support volunteer who may have had a similar loss experience.  Once a match has been made, the peer support volunteer will email the individual to arrange a time to talk on the phone.

How many calls can I expect to have?

People who request one-on-one phone support have up to 4 phone calls with a peer support volunteer. 

Do I have to use all my calls?

No, you do not have to use all 4 of your phone calls. 

How long is each call?

Each phone call is around 45-60 minutes and are scheduled 1-2 weeks apart.

Will I be paired with someone who has had the same loss that I have?

PAIL Network makes every effort to match you as closely as possible with a peer support volunteer who has experienced a similar loss.

What if I need more than 4 calls?

If someone would like to have more than 4 phone calls they can email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca and may be matched with another volunteer or the same peer support volunteer if they are available.

What if I want to try a different type of support?

PAIL Network is committed to helping bereaved people find the type of support that is best suited to them. To try a different type of support, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.  People who have already completed a request for support do not have to complete another request.

What can I talk about in my call?

The peer support volunteer that you are matched with has experienced a similar type of loss, which gives them an understanding on a deeply personal level the many layers of grief you may be feeling.  There are no expectations about how little or how much you share with the volunteer in your calls.  Some people feel like they are able to share thoughts and feelings with a peer support volunteer that they aren’t able to express to family and friends. The volunteer can help you by listening to your experiences with many different aspects of grief, such as:

• Awkward Conversations
• Coping Through Holiday Seasons
• Friends and Family
• How to Honour a Loss
• How We Grieve
• Memory Making Activity Ideas
• Navigating Social Media
• Reminders and Grief Triggers
• Returning to Work and Regular Routines
• Socializing After a Loss
• Daily Rollercoaster Ride of Feelings

Is there anything I shouldn’t say during the call?

Bereaved families are encouraged to talk about whatever they need to talk about.  However, PAIL Network discourages discussions that name specific health care providers and specific organizations.

What do I do if I need to cancel or reschedule a phone call?

If you need to cancel or reschedule a phone call you may email your peer support volunteer directly.  If you are unsure of your volunteer’s email address you may email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca and a staff person will share that with you. Please note, emails are monitored Monday to Friday during business hours, so if you send an email on the weekend or after hours, it will be responded to as soon as possible on the following business day.

What do I do if I no longer wish to receive phone support?

If you no longer wish to receive phone support, or if you would like to be matched with a different volunteer, you can share this information with the peer support volunteer or email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.

What is online peer support and how is it different from professional counselling?

Our support programs are facilitated by peer support volunteers which means the people who are holding space for others have experienced their own pregnancy or infant loss. Professional counseling is provided by trained clinicians, such as social workers, psychotherapists and psychologists. PAIL Network does not provide professional counseling services and our volunteers are trained not to offer medical advice or opinions. We aim to make the space that is offered by peer support volunteers barrier-free, inclusive, free of judgement and safe, to share experiences with others who are also grieving. We can provide interpreters in several languages, at a family’s request.

Is the link the same each meeting?

Yes. The meeting link that is shared with you at the time of the request for support is the same link you will use to join the group each week.

Can my partner join if they have not requested support?

Your partner is welcome to join you for your first group experience, even if they have not requested support for themselves.  However, if they will continue to join the group they will be asked to complete a request for support.

Will I be expected to share during group?

No.  Sharing in the group is completely optional, and some families may prefer to listen more than talk.  PAIL Network’s online groups allow people to participate in a variety of ways as they are comfortable.  They may choose to turn their video and/or audio on and off throughout the meeting.  The chat feature is always available for families to share their thoughts, comments and questions, or they may also message the facilitators privately to share on their behalf.

Do I have to have my video and audio on?

No.  Participants have full control of their video and audio features.  Some people choose to turn them on or off as they wish, and others keep them off and participate in the chat window only.

Do I have to register again if I haven’t been to a group in a while?

No, you do not need to register again if you haven’t attended in a while.  PAIL Network imposes no timeline on a person’s grief and welcome people who have registered to attend anytime.

Is there a limit to how many meetings I can attend?

No, there is no limit to how many groups you attend. 

Can I speak with the facilitators privately one on one?

During the group, you are able to privately chat with the facilitators of the group if you have a question or a comment you would like to make outside of the group chat.  PAIL Network does offer one-on-one phone support to people who wish to connect and speak with a volunteer on an individual basis. If this interests you, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.

Can I be in more than one group at a time?  

Yes. Though people are able to attend more than one type of loss group, people who have had multiple losses in more than one category of loss may want to consider joining a mixed loss group.

Is there a Pregnancy After Loss Group? 

Yes, PAIL Network offers a group for people who are currently pregnant again following a loss.  This group welcomes people who wish to talk about the baby that they lost as well as the often conflicting feelings around being pregnant again.  To join this group, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.

Can I join only on special dates like birthdates, or due dates as needed?

Absolutely. PAIL Network imposes no timeline on a person’s grief and welcome people who have registered to attend anytime.

What if I am pregnant again, can I continue to receive group support?

Many people who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss are uncomfortable seeing and being around people who are pregnant. People who are receiving group support with PAIL Network and who are currently pregnant are encouraged to receive bereavement support in our pregnancy after loss support group.  This group welcomes people who wish to talk about the baby that they lost as well as the often conflicting feelings around being pregnant again.  To join this group, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca

What is peer support and how is it different from professional counselling?

Our support programs are facilitated by peer support volunteers which means the people who are holding space for others have experienced their own pregnancy or infant loss. Professional counseling is provided by trained clinicians, such as social workers, psychotherapists and psychologists. PAIL Network does not provide professional counseling services and our volunteers are trained not to offer medical advice or opinions. We aim to make the space that is offered by peer support volunteers barrier-free, inclusive, free of judgement and safe.

What is mixed loss group and how is it different from other groups?

Mixed Loss Support groups welcome people who have experienced any type of pregnancy and/or infant loss to join with others to share in their grief. PAIL Network also offers online loss specific groups which connect families who share a similar experience of loss. These discussions are moderated by a peer support volunteer who also shares that experience.

Can my partner join if they have not requested support?

Your partner is welcome to join you for your first group experience, even if they have not requested support for themselves.  However, if they will continue to join the group they will be asked to complete a request for support or to connect with us at pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca so we can help with this process.

Will I be expected to share during group?

No.  Sharing in the group is completely optional, and some families may prefer to listen more than talk.  Families are welcome to talk about what feels right for them.  Our peer-support facilitators also have a variety of topics if no one has anything they would like to discuss.

Do I have to register again if I haven’t been to a group in a while?

No, you do not need to register again if you haven’t attended in a while.  PAIL Network imposes no timeline on a person’s grief and welcomes people who have registered to attend anytime.

Is there a limit to how many meetings I can attend?

No, there is no limit to how many meetings you attend.

How do I know where the group is held?

Once you register for the group, you will be emailed the exact location of the group.  Our facilitators will be at the front door to welcome you and show you which room we are meeting in.

Is there a Pregnancy After Loss Group? 

Yes, PAIL Network offers an online group for people who are currently pregnant again following a loss.  This group welcomes people who wish to talk about the baby that they lost as well as the often conflicting feelings around being pregnant again.  To join this group, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.

Can I join only on special dates like birthdates, or due dates as needed?

Absolutely. PAIL Network imposes no timeline on a person’s grief and welcomes people who have registered to attend anytime.

What if I am pregnant again, can I continue to receive group support?

Many people who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss are uncomfortable seeing and being around people who are pregnant. People who are receiving in-person group support with PAIL Network and who are currently pregnant are encouraged to receive bereavement support in our online pregnancy after loss support group.  This group welcomes people who wish to talk about the baby that they lost as well as the often conflicting feelings around being pregnant again.  To join this group, please email pailsupport@sunnybrook.ca.