LIVE WEBINAR | Insights into Suicide Bereavement: supporting unique grief journeys

25 February 2025

Insights into Suicide Bereavement: supporting unique grief journeys

Live webinar: Tuesday 25th February 1:00pm – 3:00pm NZDT

 

Who should attend this webinar?

Anyone who works in a professional care role or supports people through all forms of loss and grief. Our content is applicable to a wide variety of professions including counsellors, social workers, teachers, emergency response teams, medical, corrections, mental health, hospice, volunteers, caregivers and more.

 

Overview

Suicide has a profound impact on families and communities, with each loss leaving loved ones to navigate a unique and complex grief. This webinar explores how suicide bereavement can differ from other types of loss, including the emotional challenges, social stigma and questioning around ‘why?’ and ‘what could I have done?’.

We will discuss some of the immediate and wider impacts of suicide, practical strategies for supporting individuals, families and children and tools to foster resilience and meaning-making. Designed for counsellors and other support and care workers, this session offers insights and resources to enable practitioners to better support those grieving a suicide loss.

 

Key learning points

  • The Unique Nature of Suicide Grief – Exploring the emotional complexity, stigma, and trauma that can be associated with this type of loss.
  • Psychological and Emotional Impact – Understanding the heightened risk of PTSD, depression, and suicidal thoughts in the bereaved.
  • Family and Social Dynamics – The ripple effect of suicide loss on families and communities
  • Meaning-Making and Resilience – Supporting individuals in finding meaning, fostering resilience, and navigating their unique grief journey.
  • Practical Guidance for Support – Providing tools and resources for managing investigations, memorials, and ongoing bereavement needs.
  • Counsellor Well-Being and Self-Care – Recognizing the challenges of working with suicide loss survivors and implementing self-care strategies.

 

FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE ONLINE

FAQs

Q Presenter Bio

Dr Fiona Pienaar has an extensive background in education, research and mental health; both clinical and operational. A highly qualified and proficient director, consultant, practitioner, presenter, trainer and academic, she holds a Master of Education in Counselling and a PhD in Behavioural Science (New Zealand children’s experiences of stress and coping).

With a fascinating life journey spanning South Africa, New Zealand and the UK, Fiona is concurrently a Clinical Lead at Whakarongorau Aotearoa New Zealand Telehealth Services and Senior Clinical Advisor at Mental Health Innovations in the UK.

Fiona also maintains a busy online and in-person speaking schedule for education, corporate, charitable and clinical organisations and we are delighted and grateful for her long-standing connection to the Grief Centre and our mission.

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