November 27, 2021
10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Add to Calendar (iCal) Add to Google CalendarLife After Suicide Loss (LASL) provides a safe space for those bereaved due to suicide to share experiences and learn from one another. We hope our community will have a chance to share stories related to suicide grief that normally would go unsaid/unspoken, as well as different ways that others have used to integrate the losses into their lives. As a first time event, we hope to spark meaningful dialogue that will guide future conversations.
This event will be held virtually. The program will comprise of a keynote speaker, break out sessions, live music, and more.
Register for the event here.
Keynote Speaker: V. Joy Pavelich
V. Joy Pavelich holds a Master of Arts degree in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University. Her Master’s research addressed the importance of sharing stories as a tool to move past the damaging impact of trauma. When she lost her 20-year-old son Eric to suicide in 2013, Joy transferred her communications skills into supporting mental health awareness, advocacy, and action.
Joy currently works on a national level in mental health strategy and initiatives supporting individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has served on the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s National Advisory Council for the Mental Health of Emerging Adults, the advisory panel of MoBros (a Movember funded research project to develop a national men’s depression screening tool), is a member of the Province of Alberta’s Mental Health Review Panel roster, and was featured in Canadian Living magazine, sharing the family’s story of coping with extreme trauma and loss.
Breakout Sessions
There will be four breakout sessions for participants to choose from. Each participant will choose two sessions they are interested in joining and each session will be offered twice during the program.
Men and Grief
This breakout session will look at aspects of grieving a suicide loss that can be unique to men, including barriers to grieving and various ways that have helped men express and process their grief.
Moving from Grieving to Celebrating
This breakout session will invite participants and facilitators to join a discussion on how the journey of grieving can encompass both grieving and celebrating.
Stigma Surrounding Suicide
This breakout session addresses the issue of suicide and how to move suicide from being a taboo topic to one that people can openly discuss. Participants and facilitators will engage in meaningful conversations about suicide.
Why Mindfulness
This breakout session covers why mindfulness is important to the mind and body that is grieving or going through a traumatic experience. Strategies on how to incorporate mindfulness are discussed by both facilitators and participants.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE.
Thank you to this year’s event sponsor
