Grief After Suicide: Finding Hope and Healing

  • 3/11/2020 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • True
  • Kenton County Public Library: 502 Scott Blvd
  • 3/11/2020 5:30 PM
  • 10

  • Presenter: John R. Jordan, Ph.D.

    Description: The suicide of a loved one can have a profound and sometimes devastating impact on the family and friends left behind, called suicide loss survivors. Bereavement after suicide may entail high levels of disorientation, guilt, regret, anger, and trauma. Survivors also may struggle with the social stigma placed on suicide. Survivors can be at risk for elevated rates of complicated grief and suicidality themselves. All of this makes surviving the suicide of a loved one a potentially life-changing ordeal that requires all of the resilience that a survivor can muster, and all the support that family and community can provide.  

    This workshop will draw on the presenter’s years of experience as a grief counselor specializing in work with suicide loss survivors to describe the remarkable pathways of healing that survivors can travel.  The presentation will cover several topics, including the factors that contribute to suicide, the impact of bereavement through suicide on individuals and the family as a group, some of the myths of grief recovery, things that survivors can do to help themselves, and when to seek professional help. The workshop is geared towards people who are grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, but will also be of value to those who wish to support a grieving survivor, and to professional caregivers such as therapists and clergy who are working with suicide loss survivors. The format will include didactic presentation, case examples from the presenter’s practice, and plenty of time for questions and answer with the audience.

    Educational Goals:

    1. Identify at least five common themes in bereavement after suicide.
    2. Identify common myths about the grieving process
    3. Describe principles of self-help for suicide survivors
    4. Recognize when professional help is needed in the grieving process after a suicide.