Grieve Gracefully: Grief, Loss & Trauma Symposium

Join us for a 2-Day trauma-informed co-learning experience that is tailored for service providers, practitioners, community health workers, educators, social workers, therapists, medical professionals, as well as lived-experience, family members, and caregivers to connect around creating pathways and improving access to culturally responsive mental health and grief support for families of Color.

DAY ONE: Biases, Barriers and Broken Systems

Attendees: Medical Professionals, Mental Health Practitioners, Service Providers, Faith Leaders, Community Health Workers, Caregivers, Lived-Experience, Peer Advocates and School Counselors

Understanding Biases: Discussing implicit biases and how they can impact the provision of mental health and grief support for families of Color. This could include exploring ways to recognize and address biases within oneself and within systems.

Identifying Barriers: Identifying systemic barriers that prevent families of Color from accessing culturally responsive grief and mental health support. This could involve discussing financial barriers, lack of representation in mental health professions, and stigma within communities.

Addressing Broken Systems: Discussing ways to advocate for and create systemic change to improve access to culturally responsive grief and mental health support. This could include advocating for policy changes, increasing funding for culturally competent services, and promoting education and awareness within communities and healthcare systems

DAY TWO: Lived-Experience Participants, Caregivers, Community and Faith Leaders, Peer Advocates, and Resource Organizations

Join us for a day dedicated to learning about mental health, grief, loss, and the impact of trauma in our community. This event is open to all community members, including those who are experiencing grief and loss as well as mental health issues.

What to Expect:

• Workshops and Presentations: Led by mental health professionals and experts in grief and trauma.
• Resource Fair: Learn about local mental health and grief support services and other valuable resources.
• Peer Connection: Connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges.
• Education and Awareness: Increase your skills in addressing mental health and substance misuse issues for yourself, family and in the community.
• Community Conversations: Normalize discussions around grief and mental health, and reduce stigma associated with seeking help.
• Culturally Competent Programming: All sessions are sensitive to the needs of the BIPOC community.
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be provided on both days

This 2-day event will also encompass connection through:

• Understanding what it means to "Grieve Gracefully"
• Round Robin Speed-dating Session among organizations and lived-experience participants
• Lunch-table Talks
• Breakout Session
• Panel-led Discussions
• Grief Awareness and Education 
• Community Resources

Organizations are encouraged to attend in groups. Community members with lived experience as well as family and friends of bereaved parents are welcomed.  Each participant must register separately. 

*Paid registration covers both days. Day 2 is free to community members to provide an inclusive community resource center and grief awareness education program.