Beyond the Silence
Understanding and Supporting Individuals Experiencing Stigmatized Grief
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Registration & Breakfast at 8:00 AM)
Location: Hilton Garden Inn Montréal Midtown
6939, boul. Décarie, Montréal, QC H3W 3E4
Grief is already difficult. When a death is connected to suicide or substance use, it can become even harder to talk about.
Shame, guilt, blame, stigma and isolation can leave people feeling as though their grief is something they need to carry quietly. For professionals supporting them, knowing what to say, what to avoid and how to respond with care can make a meaningful difference.
Join Myra’s Kids Foundation for a half-day professional conference bringing together clinical expertise, current research and lived experience to explore the realities of stigmatized grief.
Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how stigma affects the grieving process, greater insight into what helps and what can unintentionally cause harm, and practical, trauma-informed tools they can bring back to their work with children, adults and families.
Because grief should never have to be hidden, and no one should have to carry it alone.
CE Credits: Participants who register for a CE credit-eligible ticket will receive 3.5 CE credits upon successful completion of the workshop.
OPQ # N° de reconnaissance : RA07938-26
“By equipping professionals with the tools to understand and support grief, we’re not just changing practices - we’re changing lives for the children who need it most.”
Presenters:
Dr. Jamie Duggan, Ph.D.
Dr. Jamie Duggan is a registered child and adolescent psychologist, author and clinical supervisor whose work includes grief and loss, self-harm, suicide risk and emotional regulation. Known for making complex psychological ideas practical and accessible, she brings both clinical depth and a strong focus on helping children and families understand and navigate difficult emotions.
Jessica Gottlieb, MSW, T.S.
Jessica Gottlieb is a social worker, author and clinician with more than 20 years of experience supporting children, youth and families through complex emotional and mental health challenges. Her broad clinical background gives her a grounded understanding of how people experience pain, stigma and loss, and how professionals can respond with greater compassion, clarity and care.
Sarah Crotty holds a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and Immunology and works as a Research Assistant at the STEP Clinic. Beyond her professional role, Sarah brings a deeply personal perspective to her work with bereaved children and families. Following the death of her brother, Eric, by suicide in 2018, she joined Myra’s Kids Foundation as a camper and participated in the organization’s programs for six years. After aging out of the camper program, Sarah became a volunteer and has spent the past five years supporting children and teens who are navigating their own grief journeys. She is actively involved in many aspects of the organization, including interviewing prospective camper families, assisting with volunteer training, and serving as an ambassador at community events throughout Montreal. Through her compassion, authenticity, and lived experience, Sarah provides hope to bereaved children and demonstrates that while loss changes a life forever, it is possible to find meaning, connection, and purpose in its aftermath.
Jason Schwartz is a trained Peer Support Specialist and person in long-term recovery. He facilitates The Sunday Reset, a free weekly peer-led group focused on mental health, well-being, and personal growth. Jason is also the author of If You’re Reading This, a blog where he shares candid reflections on addiction, recovery, and resilience. A passionate advocate for mental health and substance use recovery, he speaks openly to audiences throughout the Montreal area about his journey to sobriety. Following the death of his mother, Robin, when he was 15 years old; a loss that profoundly shaped his life and recovery journey, Jason became an active volunteer with Myra’s Kids Foundation, where he supports bereaved children, youth, and families navigating their own experiences of grief and loss.
Moderator: Corrie Sirota M.S.W.,P.S.W, Clinical Director, Myra’s Kids Foundation
Event Commitee: Corrie Sirota (Clinical Director, Myra’s Kids Foundation), Michelle Belistsky, Carly Berlin, Fayth Kreisman, Vivian Myron, Jessie Reider, Bryanna Rothstien, Julia Scuccimarri, Alexandra Sheppard, Yasmine Sikender, Kiki Souranis, Jamine Wong, Eric Wong & Ann Zilberbrant
To get involved or for sponsorship opportunities, please call our office CLICK HERE or email donate@myraskids.ca
We are sincerely grateful to the following sponsors who help us ensure that no child grieves alone.
