RESOURCES + WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Let Donna's story become a spark

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Whether you are grieving a loss, caring for a loved one, seeking clarity about MAiD, searching for

alternatives, looking for support, or feeling called to advocate for change, this section is meant to be a

starting point.

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Additional support organizations, educational materials, advocacy groups, research, and recovery resources are continually updated at www.aliciaduncan.com.

 

 

Immediate Crisis Support

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Organizations providing immediate crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and urgent mental health

support.

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• 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline — National Canadian crisis and suicide prevention support available by phone or text.

• Hope for Wellness Helpline — 24/7 mental health and crisis support for Indigenous peoples across Canada.

• Kids Help Phone — National mental health and crisis support service for youth and young adults.

• The Trevor Project — Crisis intervention and suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth.

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Grief, Trauma & Mental Health Support

 

Organizations supporting individuals and families navigating grief, trauma, mental health challenges, caregiving stress, and recovery.

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• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) — Education, advocacy, and support

• resources for suicide prevention and survivors of suicide loss.

• Bereaved Families of Ontario — Peer-support groups and grief resources for bereaved families.

• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) — Community mental health services,

• education, and advocacy across Canada.

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) — Mental health care, research, and educational resources.

• Centre for Suicide Prevention — Canadian education and support resources for suicide loss survivors.

• Dougy Center — Leading grief support organization for children, teens, and families.

• HeadsUpGuys — Men’s mental health resource focused on depression and suicide prevention.

• Mind (UK) — Mental health information, education, and support services.

• Modern Loss — Community and resources exploring grief, loss, and healing.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) — Mental health education, advocacy, and family support resources.

• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (UK) — International peer-support community for those grieving suicide loss.

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Eating Disorder Support

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• ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) — Free peer support, mentorship, and recovery resources for individuals and families.

• Eating Disorders in Teens: Information for Parents and Caregivers (Government of Canada) — Educational resource helping families recognize signs of eating disorders and access support for youth.

• National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) — Canadian support services, education, referrals, and helplines for eating disorders.

• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) — Education, advocacy, treatment resources, and recovery support for eating disorders.

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Brain Injury, Neurological Health & Trauma Recovery

 

Organizations and resources focused on traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, PTSD,

nervous system injuries, trauma recovery, chronic stress, and emerging treatment approaches.

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• Boot Campaign — Veteran-focused organization supporting treatment for PTSD, chronic pain, and brain health injuries.

• Brain Injury Canada — National organization providing education, advocacy, and support for individuals living with brain injuries.

• BrainTrust Canada — Support services and education for people navigating acquired brain injuries and concussion recovery.

• Concussion Legacy Foundation — Education, advocacy, and research surrounding concussion and long-term brain health.

• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) — Information and provider directories for EMDR trauma therapy.

• Heroic Hearts Project — Supports veterans and others exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy for trauma recovery.

• Resiliency Brain Health — Brain health and trauma recovery clinic specializing in neurological and psychological rehabilitation.

• VETS Solutions — Veteran support organization focused on wellness, rehabilitation, and trauma recovery resources.

• Ways2Well — Integrative health organization focused on metabolic, hormonal, and brain health optimization.

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End-of-Life Support & Palliative Care

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Organizations supporting palliative care, advance care planning, caregiving, and alternatives to hastened death.

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• Advance Care Planning Canada — Resources and templates helping Canadians document healthcare wishes and future care preferences.

• Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association — National leadership and resources related to hospice and palliative care in Canada.

• Compassionate Community Care — Canadian organization supporting individuals and families navigating serious illness, disability, and end-of-life decisions.

• Delta Hospice Society — BC-based hospice society advocating for palliative care without MAiD.

• End of Life Doula Association of Canada — Directory and standards for non-medical end-of-life support providers.

• International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA) — Education and resources focused on nonclinical end-of-life companionship and care.

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Women’s Advocacy & Violence Prevention

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Organizations supporting women affected by violence, coercion, trauma, poverty, and systemic

vulnerability.

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• Battered Women’s Support Services — Advocacy, education, and support services for women affected by violence and abuse.

• Elder Abuse Awareness and Resources (Government of Canada) — Information and resources related to elder abuse, neglect, safety, and protections for vulnerable older adults.

• Ending Violence Association of Canada — National organization supporting violence prevention and survivor advocacy initiatives.

• Women’s Shelters Canada — National network supporting shelters and services for women and children fleeing violence.

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Understanding MAiD in Canada

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Organizations and educational resources explaining Canada’s MAiD system, legislation, eligibility

requirements, and clinical processes.

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• Department of Justice Canada: MAiD Legislation — Information regarding Bill C-14, Bill C-7, Bill C-62, and related legislation.

• Government of Canada: Medical Assistance in Dying — Overview of MAiD eligibility, safeguards, and legal processes in Canada.

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Legal, Ethics & Policy Organizations

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Organizations, writers, and educational resources exploring medical ethics, disability rights, public policy,

informed consent, and the societal implications of MAiD expansion.

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• Canadian Journal of Disability Studies — Publishes disability-informed scholarship examining MAiD, ethics, vulnerability, and social policy.

• Canadian Physicians for Life — Medical professionals advocating for life-affirming care, conscience rights, and alternatives to MAiD.

• Care Not Killing — UK-based coalition advocating for palliative care and protections for vulnerable individuals.

• Dying To Meet You — Essays, interviews, films, and conversations exploring suffering, dignity, meaning, and cultural responses to death and euthanasia.

• Euthanasia Prevention Coalition — Advocacy organization focused on legal safeguards, ethics, and protections for vulnerable individuals.

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Advocacy & Civic Engagement

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Change does not happen in silence. Public policy is shaped by the people willing to question it, challenge

it, and speak about its real-world consequences.

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Contact Your MP or MLA — Ask where elected officials stand on MAiD expansion, disability protections, mental illness inclusion, oversight, palliative care access, and safeguards for vulnerable people. Share your experiences. Ask difficult questions. Refuse silence.

 

Find your MP: www.ourcommons.ca/members/en

 

You can find your provincial MLA/MPP or territorial representative through your provincial or

territorial government website.

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