Spiritual support

Who we are

Spiritual care providers are a part of your child or youth's care team. We are here to help by listening, accompanying and supporting your family through difficult times. Our team is available to support those of all religious and spiritual beliefs.

During difficult situations such as a hospital stay, children, youth and families may feel overwhelmed and be asking new or difficult to answer questions. Spiritual care providers can offer a space for you all to explore these feelings, ask questions and make meaning of your experiences. We provide support and care to children and youth of all ages through playfulness, storytelling, nature, movement, mindfulness and much more. Our team is honoured to support children, youth and families through difficult times.

What we do

Spiritual care providers are a part of your child or youth's care team. We are here to help children, youth, families and staff by listening, accompanying, educating and supporting you through difficult times. Our team is on-hand to support those of all religious and spiritual beliefs.

Spiritual care services are available 24/7.

Our services include:

• Helping you contact religious or spiritual leaders from your own community
• Listening to your story with compassion and confidentiality
• Accompanying you and advocating for you
• Partnering with caregivers and other teams at CHEO
• Supporting spiritual practices and religious observances
• Facilitating rituals, sacraments, spiritual support groups and mindfulness teaching
• Consulting on religious, spiritual and ethical questions
• Helping patients and families make sense of their illness
• Prayer, blessing and sharing hope
• Providing bereavement support and counselling

When to call spiritual support

Illness, injuries and hospital stays can be a very difficult or distressing experience. It can bring out many intense emotions and you might find yourself asking questions like:

• "Why my child?"
• "How do I cope?"
• "Does anyone care?"
• "Where is God when it hurts?"
• "What does this mean?"
• "How can we keep going?"

You don't have to cope with these feelings alone. We welcome calls any time from children, youth, families and staff. No question or concern is too small. Some reasons you may want to call us include:

• If you're feeling afraid, guilty, weak, discouraged, sad or lonely
• If you're having a hard time coping
• If you want to talk about meaning or purpose in life
• If spirituality is a source of strength and meaning for you
• If you are struggling with faith or religious beliefs
• To celebrate good news
• To talk about major decisions
• If you just want someone to listen

Meditation room

A meditation room is available for patients, families and staff looking for a quiet space for comtemplation. You can find the meditation room on the 3rd floor, beside the surgical family waiting area.

In the meditation room there are prayer rugs, headscarves and religious texts available for you to use.

The meditation room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

HOPE line

Butterfly release 

The Butterfly Release is an annual memorial event for families who have lost a child, no matter how old. There is a brief ceremony, and then each family releases a butterfly into the sky. The Butterfly Release is held in the garden behind Ronald McDonald House (407 Smyth Road, Ottawa).

The event is sponsored by CHEO and The Compassionate Friends