Exploring Grief, Loss, and Resiliency in Our Community and on Campus: A Grief Literacy Symposium and Photovoice Exhibit
This event is supported by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, King's University College, the Department of Thanatology at King's, and the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre.
While grief is a natural part of life, it is also frequently misunderstood, minimized, or pathologized as a mental health concern. Grief literacy refers to the values, knowledge, and skills needed to adequately support those grieving a variety of forms of loss, from death-related loss to non-death losses associated with the effects of social injustice and the loss of health and wellbeing (Breen et al., 2022).
The Loss Lab is hosting a one-day public symposium to promote grief literacy among the public, academic, and professional audiences, while co-exploring ways to foster more ‘compassionate communities’ (Breen et al., 2022) that are responsive to grief and loss in an informed and destigmatizing manner. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), King's University College, the Department of Thanatology, and the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC).
The Loss Lab is hosting a one-day public symposium to promote grief literacy among the public, academic, and professional audiences, while co-exploring ways to foster more ‘compassionate communities’ (Breen et al., 2022) that are responsive to grief and loss in an informed and destigmatizing manner. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), King's University College, the Department of Thanatology, and the South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC).
The Grief Literacy Symposium will bring together a keynote speaker, Dr. Lauren Breen, who helped develop the concept of grief literacy, and 15 presenters who will share current research and best practices on the themes of grief, loss, and resiliency. The Symposium will be open to the public and organized as a series of moderated roundtables that promote the active exchange of knowledge among an interdisciplinary group of scholars, practitioners, students, and community members on the following questions:
The Symposium will conclude with a public Photovoice Exhibit and dissemination of preliminary results of a participatory arts-based research project on Yazidi women’s experiences of grief, loss, and resiliency. The Photovoice Exhibit will highlight many of the core themes discussed throughout the day’s activities and will enrich the public’s understanding of the unique forms of loss experienced by refugees and displaced persons as well as the strength and resiliency Yazidis draw upon as they re-make their lives in Canada.
This event is free and open to the public. Register now via the link below and join us on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at King's University College for a day filled with insightful discussions and powerful visual storytelling!
- How do young people cope with death and non-death loss?
- What role does activism play in terms of healing among grieving youth?
- How might a social justice lens inform our analyses of diverse experiences of loss, grief, and resiliency?
- How can community organizations support vulnerable groups, such as refugees and unhoused populations, as they grapple with the effects of grief and loss?
The Symposium will conclude with a public Photovoice Exhibit and dissemination of preliminary results of a participatory arts-based research project on Yazidi women’s experiences of grief, loss, and resiliency. The Photovoice Exhibit will highlight many of the core themes discussed throughout the day’s activities and will enrich the public’s understanding of the unique forms of loss experienced by refugees and displaced persons as well as the strength and resiliency Yazidis draw upon as they re-make their lives in Canada.
This event is free and open to the public. Register now via the link below and join us on Thursday, September 19th, 2024 at King's University College for a day filled with insightful discussions and powerful visual storytelling!
Schedule of Events
08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Registration and Refreshments
Registration and Refreshments
08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Land Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks
Land Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Keynote Address and Discussion: Grief Literacy and Youth by Dr. Lauren Breen
Keynote Address and Discussion: Grief Literacy and Youth by Dr. Lauren Breen
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Morning Break
Morning Break
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Roundtable 1: Youth-Led Grief Activism
Roundtable 1: Youth-Led Grief Activism
- 5 youth activists discuss the relationship between grief, activism, and resilience.
- Discussant: Dr. Lisa McLean.
11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch at Garron Lounge, Student Life Centre
Lunch at Garron Lounge, Student Life Centre
12:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Roundtable 2: Grief and Loss Among Emerging Adults
Roundtable 2: Grief and Loss Among Emerging Adults
- 4 scholars, students, and practitioners discuss key topics regarding youth bereavement, loss, and institutional supports on university campuses.
- Discussant: Dr. Carrie Traher
02:00 AM - 02:30 AM
Afternoon Break
Afternoon Break
02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Roundtable 3: Vulnerability, Grief, and Resiliency in Our Community
Roundtable 3: Vulnerability, Grief, and Resiliency in Our Community
- 5 scholars and practitioners discuss grief and loss from a community-engaged social justice perspective.
- Discussant: Dr. Eunice Gorman
03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Closing Remarks
04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Yazidi Photovoice Exhibit at Spriet Learning Commons, Student Life Centre
Yazidi Photovoice Exhibit at Spriet Learning Commons, Student Life Centre
- Presentation of photographs by Yazidi participants in a participatory photography study (researchers: Dr. Lisa McLean and Dr. Carrie Traher)
Presenters
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lauren Breen
'Grief Literacy and Youth'
In this presentation, Dr. Breen will define and illustrate the concept of grief literacy and draw upon recent studies of grieving children and young people. Preliminary findings from Dr. Breen's study of grief literacy for young people (14-24 years) will be shared. Prioritizing the voices of children and young people is important if we want a grief literate society for everyone.
Lauren Breen, PhD FT, is a professor of psychology at Curtin University. She is known internationally for her research on the psychology of grief and loss across the lifespan and its intersection with mental health. She has published over 170 journal articles and book chapters. In 2022, she received the Research Recognition Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (USA). She is a Fellow of Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement (USA) and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. She was a board member of Grief Australia for 9 years and managing editor of Death Studies for 4 years. She is currently on the board of Lionheart Camp for Kids, which supports grieving children, teens, and families. Lauren has delivered keynote presentations around the world (e.g., USA, Scotland, Indonesia, Ireland, and Singapore) and her TEDx talk “Six myths about grief to bust for yourself, and your loved ones” has achieved over 50,000 views. Edited with Carrie Traher, her book The Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief in Contemporary Contexts was published in 2024.
'Grief Literacy and Youth'
In this presentation, Dr. Breen will define and illustrate the concept of grief literacy and draw upon recent studies of grieving children and young people. Preliminary findings from Dr. Breen's study of grief literacy for young people (14-24 years) will be shared. Prioritizing the voices of children and young people is important if we want a grief literate society for everyone.
Lauren Breen, PhD FT, is a professor of psychology at Curtin University. She is known internationally for her research on the psychology of grief and loss across the lifespan and its intersection with mental health. She has published over 170 journal articles and book chapters. In 2022, she received the Research Recognition Award from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (USA). She is a Fellow of Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement (USA) and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. She was a board member of Grief Australia for 9 years and managing editor of Death Studies for 4 years. She is currently on the board of Lionheart Camp for Kids, which supports grieving children, teens, and families. Lauren has delivered keynote presentations around the world (e.g., USA, Scotland, Indonesia, Ireland, and Singapore) and her TEDx talk “Six myths about grief to bust for yourself, and your loved ones” has achieved over 50,000 views. Edited with Carrie Traher, her book The Routledge International Handbook of Child and Adolescent Grief in Contemporary Contexts was published in 2024.
Youth-Led Grief Activism Roundtable Presenters
- Lilian Barraclough - PhD Student, University of Guelph; Nature-Based Climate Approaches Program Coordinator.
- Maryam Al-Sabawi - Founding member of the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI).
- Ayesha Islam - Founding member of the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI).
- Erica Butler - Undergraduate Student, King's University College, member of the Care and Revolution Everywhere Collective (C.A.R.E Collective).
- Bayan Saidam - Palestinian poet, organizer, and undergraduate student at Western University.
- Discussant: Dr. Lisa McLean - Assistant Professor in the Department of Thanatology at King's University College, and Research Associate in the Grief and Loss Research Lab (Loss Lab).
Grief and Emerging Adults Roundtable Presenters
- Gabrielle Grimes - Clinical Counsellor; M.A. in Counselling Psychology, Trinity Western University.
- Marija Padjen - Director of the Centre for Innovation in Campus Mental Health (CICMH) and Chief Clinical Officer with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
- Joe Henry - Dean of Students (Student Affairs) at King's University College.
- Dr. Adrienne Sauder - Adjunct Assistant Professor, Queen's University; Lecturer, Department of Thanatology at King's University College; Research Associate in the Grief and Loss Research Lab (Loss Lab).
- Discussant: Dr. Carrie Traher - Associate Professor in the Department of Thanatology at King's University College and the Director of the Grief and Loss Research Lab (Loss Lab).
Vulnerability, Grief, and Resiliency in Our Community Roundtable Presenters
- Eman Al Sayyah - Program Operation Manager, Newcomer Settlement Services, South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC).
- Khalida Naso - Yazidi Case Management Coordinator, Newcomer Settlement Services, South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC).
- Dr. Erica Lawson - Associate Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Western University.
- Dr. Jess Notwell - Assistant Professor of Sociology at King's University College.
- Dr. Jacqueline Sohn - Senior Researcher at the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness at York University.
- Discussant: Dr. Eunice Gorman - Associate Professor and the Chair of the Department of Thanatology at King's University College.
Ways to Get Involved
Register NowVisit our Eventbrite page to reserve tickets for the Symposium and Exhibit and share the registration link to invite more people into this conversation!
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If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected]