Bereaved Families of Ontario hosting virtual grief literacy series

KITCHENER -  An important aspect of Bereaved Families of Ontario – Midwestern Region’s mission is educating the community about grief.

Increasing grief literacy helps normalize the experience, creates greater compassion and empathy for the many ways grief exists and allows more people to access support if they need it, officials say.

One way the organization  hopes to increase grief literacy is through a virtual education series it is hosting on Tuesdays in November.

“The goal of the series is to help broaden participants’ understanding about grief in general, and more specifically as it relates to marginalized communities,” stated executive director  Jaime Bickerton.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to host such an amazing line-up of speakers and look forward to learning alongside our community.”

Speakers and topics include:

- Cultural Humility in Grief, Rami Shami, Nov. 1, 7pm;

- Wiping the tears: The story of Hiawatha’s Loss, Dr. Darren Thomas, Nov. 8, 1pm;

- Providing culturally-centred and trauma-responsive healing to racialized communities, Carla Beharry Nov. 15, 7pm;

- Queer Loss, Queer Grief, Queer Transformation, David Alton Nov. 22, 1pm; and

- Beyond the Traditional, Carrie Batt and Ben McDonald, Nov. 29, 7pm.

Each session is $35, or participants can sign up for the whole series at a reduced rate of $125. A 40% discount is available for students and accommodations may be made for individuals who don’t have the means to pay the registration fee.

Speaker bios, session synopses and registration information can be found at www.bfomidwest.org.