a {
color: #0645AD;
text-decoration: underline;
}

strong, b {
font-weight: 500;
}

em, i {
font-style: italic;
}

OVERVIEW

This dynamic 90-minute panel discussion of ProPublica’s documentary film Before a Breath will explore the emotional and psychological impacts of stillbirth and the process of grieving stillborn children. It will also address how events surrounding the loss can compound the trauma parents experience or set them on a path towards healing. The panel includes mothers featured in the film as well as the film’s director and producer. Participants are invited to watch the 72-minute film in advance of the discussion and to bring their own questions. You can view the film here: https://propub.li/stillbirthdoc

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Define stillbirth and identify some common emotional and psychological responses to that loss.
2. Identify ways that the experience of stillbirth can lead to prolonged grief.
3. Identify three common missteps when interacting with families immediately after loss, and how to avoid them.
4. Describe three approaches for speaking sensitively with families in the hours, weeks, and months after their loss.

ABOUT THE PANEL

Nadia Sussman is a filmmaker and journalist at ProPublica, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative newsroom. She is the director of Before a Breath.

Lisa Riordan Seville is ProPublica’s senior producer for video and film and a documentary filmmaker. She is a producer of Before a Breath.

Stephanie Lee is a critical care nurse at a New York City hospital, and was also a patient at the Rainbow Clinic at Mount Sinai. She is one of the mothers featured in “Before a Breath.”

Debbie Haine Vijayvergiya is a stillbirth parent advocate and the mother behind the SHINE for Autumn Act, named in honor of her daughter Autumn who was stillborn in 2011. She is one of the mothers featured in “Before a Breath.”

Darryl Owens is the Women’s Services Chaplain & Grief Counselor at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. In addition to providing spiritual care and support for patients, families, and staff, Darryl manages the perinatal bereavement program, serves on the hospital Bereavement Team, and has co-facilitated community bereavement support groups for many years. He is certified as a clinical chaplain through the Association for Professional Chaplains, certified in thanatology through the Association for Death Education and Counseling and is certified in Perinatal Loss Care through the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center. He is an author, an ordained clergyman, husband, father, and grandfather.

Target Audience: health and mental health professionals, graduate-level students, and those who work closely with bereaved people, like hospice administrators, clergy, and support group facilitators.

This is an Introductory to Intermediate course. There is no commercial support or conflicts of interest with this course.

>> FREE WEBINAR GENERAL ADMISSION LINK  <<

Registration is required for all attendees! Use the following link to complete registration for a unique Zoom access link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/6717575161961/WN_FXfDD7s-RO237P5jaN_UGQ

FEES

Continuing Education

American Psychological Association

The Center for Prolonged Grief at Columbia School of Social Work is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Prolonged Grief maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Note: Many state boards recognize the APA approval. Please check with your state licensing board.

New York State Education Department

• NYSED Board for Social Work recognizes the Center for Prolonged Grief as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (#SW‐0727).
• NYSED State Board for Mental Health Practitioners recognizes the Center for Prolonged Grief as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists (#MFT-0080) and licensed mental health counselors (#MHC-0104).
• NYSED State Board for Psychology recognizes the Center for Prolonged Grief as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists (#PSY-0150).

Note: Non-NYS social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors, please check with your state licensing board. Many states have recognized our continuing education programs as we are at a CSWE-accredited institution and part of a regionally accredited university.

Refund Policy There are no refunds for this event.

Special Accommodations and Grievance Policy Columbia University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require disability accommodations to attend an event at Columbia University, please contact Disability Services at 212-854-2388 or disability@columbia.edu and the Center for Prolonged Grief at training@complicatedgrief.columbia.edu at least 10 days in advance of the event.

If you have a question or concern about a workshop, non-receipt of a certificate, or another issue related to the Center for Prolonged Grief's continuing education programming, please email training@complicatedgrief.columbia.edu.