Join Us For The June Quarterly Education Meeting

Suicide and Bereavement in Older Adults

Suicide is more than a preventable tragedy—it’s a growing public health crisis. According to provisional statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. suicide rate reached a historic high in 2022. And, while nearly every age group experienced an increase, older Americans fared the worst.

Suicide is higher in older adults for a number of reasons. These range from depression, to grief over the passing of loved ones, to chronic illness.

Today's presenters:

Lisa Joy White, LMSW, MThanatology, CT is the Suicide Loss & Grief Support Convener with NAMI Maine.

Lisa is a graduate of the University of Maine School of Social Work as well as the Hood College Thanatology graduate program and is certified in thanatology (the science and study of death, dying, and bereavement). She is passionate about ensuring appropriate care for all people across the lifespan who are facing end-of-life issues, with an emphasis on support and education around grief and mourning.

Joyce Morrissette, BSN, RN is a graduate of Simmons University in Boston and is currently the Clinical Suicide Prevention Specialist at NAMI Maine.

Joyce is a graduate of Simmons University in Boston and is currently the Clinical Suicide Prevention Specialist at NAMI Maine. She formerly directed training for the Maine Resilience Building Network, coordinated clinical research in Boston, and worked for 25 years as a psychiatric nurse. Joyce is the founder of Nurse Flourish and author of Receive, So You May Give: A Self-Care Path for Nurses. Well-being for all is central to her work.

We will explore factors that influence suicidal behaviors in older adults focusing primarily on those with chronic and terminal illness. Additionally, we will look at the unique experiences of grief and mourning in older adults.

Objectives:

· Identify key beliefs and attitudes related to suicide.

· Describe recent suicide-related data and trends for older adults.

· Explore unique factors impacting suicide prevention and intervention among older adults.

· Consider the impact of the Death with Dignity Act among older adults facing chronic illness or a

terminal diagnosis.

· Describe how grief and mourning in older adults may differ from other phases of life.

· Explore misconceptions about bereavement for older adults.

· Discuss challenges and possibilities for those bereaved by suicide.

We hope you will join us for this educational opportunity!

Limited Registrations (24)

Secure you space by registering today

Maine Hospice Council | P.O. Box 2239 | Augusta, ME 04338 US

Constant Contact Data Notice