Join us for Coping After Suicide’s 2024 Educational Series, presented by members of our national support group facilitator corps. The programs are all by Zoom and free of charge. You can register for as many as you'd like. If you can't attend live, or if the date of the program you'd like to attend has passed, don't worry. Each program will be recorded, and we'll send you the Zoom recording(s) if you've registered.

 

Past Programs (recordings available):

TALKING OUTLOUD: TEENS & SUICIDE LOSS, A CONVERSATION (Faculty: Joanne Harpel and Steven Karaiskos)

Presentation of the 30-minute version of Coping After Suicide’s award-winning documentary featuring teens who’ve lost a parent or sibling to suicide, including  reflection and discussion with our Teens Group facilitator Steve Karaiskos and the film’s executive producer, Joanne Harpel.​​

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POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH, CONTINUING BONDS, & MAKING MEANING (Faculty: Pamela Gabbay)

In our grief journeys, there are many things we learn along the way, and growth in our grief (“posttraumatic growth”) is often a transformative experience. Join us for an informative discussion of how we find meaning and stay connected to the person who has died. 

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WHO AM I NOW? REFLECTIONS ON IDENTITY IN THE AFTERMATH OF LOSS (Faculty: Steven Karaiskos)

Reflections and conversation to better understand our unexpected shifts in identity after a loss from suicide – who I am now as a parent, a sibling, a child, a spouse or partner, and as a friend? How has my loss impacted me culturally, professionally, and more? 

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Upcoming Programs:​​​​​

Thursday, September 19th 7-8 pm Eastern 

SUPPORTING GRIEVING CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, & FAMILIES (Faculty: Pamela Gabbay)

Every member of the family is affected by a suicide. This workshop will explore different coping styles within the family, and the impact of the loss on family dynamics. We’ll also discuss how parents can best support their grieving children, while also caring for themselves.  

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Tuesday, October 1st 6-7 pm Eastern

SUICIDE 101 (Faculty: Joanne Harpel)

A straightforward, practical discussion about what we know from the research about suicide.

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Thursday, October 10th 6-7 pm Eastern

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH GRIEF (Faculty: Joanne Harpel)

Finding Yourself: What it really means when “everyone grieves differently”

Finding Support: How to find the right amount and kind of support

Finding Clarity: How your narrative fits into your healing journey

Finding Hope: How to find some peace again (without feeling like you’re leaving your loved one behind) 

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Wednesday, October 30th 6-7 pm Eastern

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR WORKING WITH SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE LOSS (Faculty: Joanne Harpel)

A psychoeducational exploration of the impact of suicide loss on individuals and families. For clinicians, clergy, funeral directors, school personnel, support group facilitators, outreach volunteers, and interested others. 

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Thursday, November 21st  7-8 pm Eastern

SUPPORTING GRIEVING TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS  (Faculty: Pamela Gabbay)

Do you have questions about the best ways to help the grieving teens and young adults in your life? We’ll cover the unique needs of bereaved teens and young adults, and issues they grapple with after the suicide of someone in their life. 

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ABOUT THE FACULTY

The faculty are all members of Coping After Suicide’s national support group facilitator corps. For more information, visit https://www.copingaftersuicide.com/support-groups

 

Joanne L. Harpel, MPhil, CT, JD, President of Coping After Suicide, is an international authority on suicide bereavement and postvention response, and the former longtime Senior Director for Public Affairs and Postvention for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the largest suicide prevention organization in the world. She works with individuals, families, and communities nationwide. Joanne lost her younger brother Stephen to suicide in 1993.

 

Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT, lost her sister Donna and her uncle Alan to suicide and has 25 years of professional experience in family bereavement support. She is the former Director of the Mourning Star Center for Grieving Children in California, Director of Operations and Training for The Compassionate Friends, and co-author of “Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children: A Practical Guide for Professionals.” Pamela facilitates Coping After Suicide’s Mothers group and also the Relationships & Family Dynamics group.

 

Steven Karaiskos is a Social Emotional Learning expert with extensive experience based on principles derived from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Steven is the Founder of Elpis Consulting, Coaching, & Community Building; the program director and board member of The Kita Center, a restorative community honoring the lived experience of those impacted by suicide; and the former Senior Director of Community Education and Outreach for Samaritans, a Boston-based suicide prevention and grief support organization. He lost his partner David to suicide in 2009. Steven facilitates Coping After Suicide’s Teens, Twentysomethings, and Adults Who’ve Lost a Parent Groups.

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