Life After Suicide Loss

Life After Suicide Loss (LASL) provides a safe space for those who have lost someone to suicide and allows individuals 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 unspoken, and help others heal through understanding and empathy.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN VIRTUALLY 

Event Details

Date: September 21, 2024
Time: 9am to 3pm
Location: Iron Workers Local 720 (10512 122 Street NW)
Fee: No cost associated with attending event

This event will take place both in-person and virtually online.

REGISTER 

PANELISTS

Michelle Metta 

Michelle Metta is a Somatic Trauma Recovery Coach and Mindfulness Teacher. She brings together many modalities to best support others on their trauma healing journey, including powerful mindfulness techniques, somatic healing methods, life coaching as well as Eastern wisdom. She has a private online practice and has worked with individuals throughout Canada as well as the United States, Europe and Asia. Michelle believes there’s nothing that can’t be healed with loving awareness, compassion and allowing the body to work its magic!

Ofelia Leon-Featherstone, BA Psych., SEP, RPC-MPCC 

(she/Ella, her)

“to be well we must befriend the community within ourselves with kindness and dignity”.

Ofelia is a counselling therapist currently in private practice full time in Edmonton following 21 years of continuous service in the mental health field at different organizations in Ottawa, the Northwest Territories and locally as the supervisor of the Suicide Grief Support Program CMHA until 2017.  She is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC) and Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling status (MPCC). Ofelia holds a Clinical Membership of the formerly known Gestalt Institute of the National Capital after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.

Ofelia specialises in resolving trauma after a single event and/or after cumulated adverse life events. Common themes addressed in her practice are: Intergenerational legacies, adults abused as children, chronic Pain/fibromyalgia, developmental trauma, suicide bereavement, grief and loss, exploring the strengths black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) populations, LGBTQA2S+, medical procedure trauma, motor vehicle collisions, refugees, survivors of mass disasters, war and sexual abuse. Ofelia serves as a teaching assistant with the Faculty of Somatic Experiencing International. Most recently, she assisted in a Master Class in Japan and enjoys being part of the teaching team for new cohorts of Somatic Experiencing students in Mexico.

Ofelia is passionate about applying bio-psycho-physiological tools from the Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Neuro-Affective Touch, Compassion Focused Therapy and Systemic Family Constellations with a Somatic lens to support the wellbeing of her clients.

Ofelia values kindness, quiet wisdom, and generosity. Her heritage includes cultures from the Canary Islands, Indigenous-Caquetio from northern Venezuela, Mayan from the Mexico Peninsula, northern and west Africa and Portugal. She offers an accountable-welcoming space for gender fluidity, sexual orientation and diverse self-discovery processes. You can find her contact and profile at the directory of Somatic Experiencing International at

Luanne LaBrie

Luanne LaBrie is a dedicated advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, driven by her personal experience as a survivor of suicide loss. Her journey has fueled her commitment to supporting others through their grief and fostering resilience. Luanne volunteers with the Hope Mission, where she contributes her time and compassion to help those in need. She is also an avid dog lover, finding joy and solace in the companionship of her four-legged friends. Her multifaceted approach to advocacy, community service, and personal passion makes her a compassionate and empathetic presence in the field.

Andrew Altimus

Andrew is a born and raised Edmontonian and is a member of Toastmasters. He recently competed in the Ultra White Collar Boxing charity fundraiser, raising funds for CMHA-Edmonton. For over 25 years, Andrew has advocated for mental health and has worked with vulnerable populations, even lobbying government organizations to address the complexities of mental health challenges. Andrew was recently elected as the Safety Director for the Eastwood Community League, where he collaborates with the EPS and residents to develop effective, compassionate solutions for those in need. 

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS