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Matt Dunae on how hip hop saved him

February 16th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Matt Dunae on how hip hop saved him)

Dedicated, passionate hip-hop artist learned to conquer his demons of addiction and poverty and shine through with music

Hip-hop artist Matt Dunae—who performs as SirReal—has credited his involvement with music for helping him to overcome the demons of addiction and poverty. He has also shared his experiences with loss (his older brother, Nick, died by suicide in 2007) through music and by performing at the Soles Remembering Souls event in Nanaimo. Sirreal boldly laces his lyrics with the “die-hard truths of reality and its consequences”, whether they be positive or negative. And he exemplifies strength and resilience with his devotion to family and community in both his actions and his lyrics. (more…)

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On living deeply and dying well

October 20th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

What if grief is a skill, in the same way that love is a skill, something that must be learned and cultivated and taught?

With counseling and ceremony, Stephen Jenkinson has for a quarter century been guiding individuals, couples, families and communities through all the human sufferings, sorrows and confusions in life. He is a Harvard-trained theologian, a sculptor and a traditional canoe builder. Stephen is also the subject of the National Film Board documentary Griefwalker, a lyrical, poetic portrait of his work with dying people. (more…)

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Soles remembering souls

September 8th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Soles remembering souls)

Nanaimo hip hop artist SirReal will rap about loss this Sunday September 11th as he pays tribute to his brother, Nick

The subject of suicide is no longer something that people keep hidden in the dark, ashamed to talk about. There are many conversations going on and people are learning to reach out to others and to look for help themselves. Suicide is now a topic that people want to know more about, from learning how to recognize the signs of suicidal behaviour in others to learning about how to help. (more…)

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Grieving in an online world

July 28th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Grieving in an online world)

Online grieving, whether on Facebook or other social media, is becoming the new normal…but does it actually help?

After the campus shootings in the U.S. at Virginia Tech in 2007 and Northern Illinois University in 2008, hundreds of affected students turned to social media websites to share their grief and search for solace. A study of these students found that their online activities neither helped nor harmed their long-term psychological health.

The study gave a first-of-its-kind portrait of student reactions to shootings on their campuses. It also documented both the online and off-line activities they engaged in to memorialize and recover from these events. (more…)

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World suicide prevention day

September 9th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on World suicide prevention day)

Nanaimo events include the annual “Soles Remembering Souls” gathering for those bereaved by suicide

In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day 2010, The Central Vancouver Island Crisis Society is hosting its fifth annual community gathering for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Soles Remembering Souls is a unique, free of charge, gathering open to anyone who has lost someone they loved or cared about to suicide as well as to community members who would like to lend their support. (more…)

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A father’s story

November 5th, 2009 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A father’s story)

The Reena Virk tragedy has become teaching for all of us

In the years since their daughter, Reena Virk, was murdered in Victoria B.C., Suman and Manjit Virk have made their work against bullying a top priority. In November 2009 British Columbia’s Solicitor General Kash Heed presented the Virks with the Anthony J. Hulme Award of Distinction, B.C.’s highest honour for community safety and crime prevention. (more…)

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