Peer Support Programs
Experiencing the loss of a pregnancy or the death of a baby is devastating. But you aren’t alone. Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network is here to help, with peer-led group and individual support services offered at no cost to families across Ontario who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Our support services are available to residents of Ontario.
Our support programs are led by trained volunteers who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss first-hand. We are a barrier-free, inclusive organization. We can provide interpreters in several languages, at a family’s request.
We know that there is no time limit on grief. For this reason, families can access our services at any time for as long as they need.
For more information about the measures that PAIL Network takes to ensure a comfortable and welcoming group environment for families, please click PAIL Network Group Support Experience: Information for Participants.
To access support from PAIL Network, please fill out our Request for Support Form.
Online Support Groups
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss or an infant death. Our team of trained volunteers are now providing support during scheduled online meetings that you can access from the comfort of home. These online groups connect families who share a similar experience of loss, and these discussions are moderated by a peer support volunteer who also shares that experience. Please complete a Request for Support Form for group dates and specific details.
Loss Specific Online Support | |
First Trimester Loss (0-13 weeks) | Every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Second Trimester Loss (14-27 weeks) | Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Third Trimester Loss (28-40+ weeks) | Every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Infant/Neonatal Death (1-12 months) | 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Infant Death Due to SIDS/SUIDS (1-12 months) | Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 9:00 – 10:00pm EST |
Termination of a Pregnancy | Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Grief After Abortion | Every 4th Wednesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Additional Online Groups | |
Parenting Through Loss | Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Partners in Grief | Every 4th Wednesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Pregnancy After Loss | Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Trying to Conceive | Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Support for Grandparents | (Bi-monthly) Second Sunday of the month at 10:00 – 11:30 am EST |
Loss of a Multiple | Every 4th Tuesday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST |
Indigenous Circle of Support | Every 4th Monday of the month from 8:00 – 9:00 pm EST |
Circles of Support
PAIL Network offers peer-led in person support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support during scheduled meetings. These groups connect families who share a similar experience of loss, and these discussions are moderated by a peer support volunteer who also shares that experience. Please complete a Request for Support Form for group dates and specific details.
Location | |
Guelph | Every 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00pm EST |
Belleville | Every 2nd Monday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00pm EST |
Hamilton | Every 2nd Monday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Windsor | Every 2nd Monday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Durham North | Every 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Toronto | Every 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Thunder Bay | Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 7:00 – 8:00pm EST |
Peterborough | Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Ottawa | Every 2nd Thursday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
Markham | Every 3rd Wednesday of each month from 8:00 – 9:00pm EST (Coming soon – January 2025) |
Niagara | Every 4th Monday of each month from 6:30 – 7:30 pm EST (Coming soon – January 2025) |
Aurora | Every 4th Wednesday of each month from 7:30 – 8:30pm EST |
One-to-one Peer Phone Support
In some circumstances, we may be able to offer one to one peer support by phone. This individual support connects families with a volunteer, who is as closely matched to the family’s circumstances as possible. Families typically complete four, 45-minute phone sessions with a phone support volunteer.
Phone support volunteers have a lived experience of loss, and have completed the training required to meet the unique needs of families who are grieving the loss of their pregnancy or of their baby.
If you are unable to attend either online or in person groups, please let our Referral Coordinator know.
Living With Your Loss: A Guided Curriculum to Living a Meaningful Life After Loss
PAIL Network presents “Living With Your Loss: A Guided Curriculum to Living a Meaningful Life After Loss”. This 6-session curriculum is offered multiple times throughout the year and is a way for families to network together and share tools to support living a meaningful life after their loss. Each series is facilitated by a PAIL Network team who have a lived experience of loss and is an opportunity for anyone who has received support for their pregnancy or infant loss grief, and are now feeling ready to learn how to incorporate the loss of their baby into their life.
Each series meets twice weekly for 3 weeks on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:30-9. We also offer a one-day condensed group on Saturdays a few times a year. For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit our Peer Support Programs Calendar or email PAILSupport@sunnybrook.ca to register for this group.
To access support from PAIL Network, please fill out our Request for Support Form.
Third Trimester Loss Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
Pregnancy After Loss Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
Second Trimester Loss Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
Parenting Through Loss Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
Infant/Neonatal Death Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
Belleville Circle of Support
PAIL Network offers peer-led in person support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide […]
Guelph Circle of Support
PAIL Network offers peer-led in person support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide […]
Windsor Circle of Support
PAIL Network offers peer-led in person support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide […]
Hamilton Circle of Support (ONLINE)
PAIL Network offers peer-led in person support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide […]
First Trimester Loss Online Support Group
PAIL Network offers peer-led online support to all families across Ontario who have experienced a pregnancy loss, an infant death or elective abortion. Our team of trained volunteers provide support […]
If you are hosting an event with PAIL Network, or hosting an event to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss in Ontario, please send the details to pailnetwork@sunnybrook.ca. We'd be happy to list your event in our calendar.
If you're interested in learning more about organizing an event in your community, please get in touch.