Grief is rarely simple. In this episode of A Way Forward, host Jessica Samuels explores Complex grief — the layered and often misunderstood experience of loss that can include trauma, unresolved relationships, sudden death, and other difficult circumstances.

Jessica is joined by Mikayla Angle, Community Education Coordinator at CMHA Kelowna, and Chivonne Monaghan, an educator, speaker, and author. Together they share personal experiences, professional insights, and the work they are doing to create more open conversations and community support around grief.

In This Episode

· What complex grief means and why it’s different from clinical diagnoses like prolonged grief disorder

· How trauma, estrangement, sudden loss, or unresolved relationships can shape the grieving process

· The stigma and silence that often surround grief conversations

· Why traditional grief models don’t always reflect lived experience

· The importance of community, connection, and peer support in healing

· How turning pain into purpose can help people navigate grief

· New conversations and initiatives being developed through CMHA Kelowna’s Discovery College

Key Takeaway

Grief doesn’t follow a timeline or a single path. For many people, loss comes with complicated emotions, unanswered questions, and experiences that don’t fit traditional narratives. Creating space for honest conversations and community support can help people feel less alone in their grief.

Resources & Links

· CMHA Kelowna Discovery College

· Chivonne Monaghan’s website

· Central Okanagan Hospice Association

· Springfield Funeral Home

More information and links can be found on the A Way Forward Podcast page at cmhakelowna.org.

Have questions or suggestions? Email us at awayforward@cmhakelowna.org

About the Podcast

A Way Forward: Conversations on Mental Health is presented by Beem Credit Union, supporting conversations that help build stronger, more connected communities across British Columbia.

Episode 22: Complex Grief: Finding a Way Forward