3rd Annual Grief Symposium 2023
GRIEF AFTER SUICIDE and GRIEF IN THE WORKPLACE
A FREE Grief Seminar For
Professionals
Not For General Public
Not For General Public
Thank you for your interest in attending the 3rd Annual Grief Symposium 2023. This event is designed specifically for professionals within our community including health care providers, police officers, first responders, counsellors, pastors, and funeral directors. (CEU Credits available for Funeral Directors $175 fee). This event is not open to the general public. Dr. Bill Webster, author, lecturer and grief expert, will be coming back by popular demand. His first visit with us was in 2019 and received very warm reviews. Here are just a few of the many comments we received:
We are aware that many care professionals experience grief on a daily basis.Grief after Suicide and Grief in the Workplace are impacting not only the families, we serve but many of our own families as well. Dr. Webster will educate us on the challenges we face and how we can develop strategies of support.
This seminar is for educational purpose only. No sales or solicitation will occur.
Enjoy a complimentary luncheon.
Registration deadline: October 26th, 2023
Grief after Suicide: 3 hours - 9:00 am to 12:15 pm
While we correctly say of grief that “there is no such thing as more or less difficult, it is just differentâ€, there are some situations that are “uniquely difficultâ€. One such situation is death by suicide, which can be a devastating blow to “suicide survivors†(a term referring to those who have lost someone to suicide.) Adding to the trauma is suicide is often “disenfranchised†because of stigma and embarrassment.
Dr. Bill will discuss some of the specific and unique issues surrounding grief after suicide, sharing some of the feelings and reactions as well as strategies of help and support for those coping with their loss. He will include his brand new 30 minute video in the series “It’s Complicated: Grief after Suicide†which you will find educational, inspirational and moving.
Learning Objectives:
Grief in the Workplace: 2 hours - 1:00 pm to 3:15 pm
Most people spend an average of 90,000 hours in the workplace in their lifetime. But when a significant loss, whether the death of a loved one, anlife-threatening illness, the loss of a jobor retirement, among others, the workplace can be a challenging environment. When people return to work after bereavement, grief can interfere with their job productivity and performance, providing economic stress and safety for both the employer and employee.
Employers and fellow employees need to understand “the reason behind the reactionsâ€, and build in mechanisms for ensuring that the work gets done while also providing employees with the time and compassion they need to heal.In this seminar, Dr Billas well as developing effective strategies to support those going through the grief process. The seminar will include discussion groups.
Learning Objectives:
Dr. Bill Webster is the founder and executive Director of the Centre for the Grief Journey. Widowed in 1983, Bill struggled to come to terms with his own loss, as well as the task of bringing up his two sons, who were 9 and 7 when their mother died. After graduating from the University of Toronto with his doctorate in 1990, Bill began facilitating grief support programs in numerous communities.
Dr Bill also conducts many professional seminars and educational programs on the topics of grief and loss both in North America and in Britain. He has authored numerous books, including Understanding Bereavement, Grief Journey, When Someone You Care About Dies, Why Me?, A Not-So-Jolly Christmas, Now What, andHelp Me …If You Can: Coping with Life Threatening Situations. as well as many articles and a 3 DVD series entitled Grief Matters. Dr Webster produced and hosted a nationally broadcast weekly television program in Canada entitled Living with Loss.
Dr. Bill also has a very innovative website at www.griefjourney.com. He has recently developed a brand new concept in grief support on a web portal and brings grief support to a new generation on Facebook and Twitter.
Dr. Webster is a member of the Association for Death Education and Grief Counselling, who recently awarded him their prestigious Fellow in Thanatology from University of Illinois in recognition of his work and his contribution to the field of grief counseling.
Dr. Webster brings a unique blend of personal experience, academic education and many years of practical application to his work. Acknowledged as a dynamic, personable and practical speaker, Dr. Webster combines his own story with his knowledge and sense of humor to effectively communicate his message.
Bill is married to Johanna and they live in Mississauga, Ontario. His eldest son lives in BC and he is the proud grandfather of three granddaughters, Elowyn, Ivy and Skylar, and one grandson, Owen William.