International Day for People Impacted by Suicide Loss (IDPISL) is Saturday, November 22, 2025. On this day people with lived and living experiences of suicide loss will come together to foster community, to remember loved ones, and to share stories of loss, healing and hope.
To recognize this year’s day, the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP) will host a free online event entitled,
“Supporting young hearts: A fireside chat on grief after suicide”
on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 12:00-1:30 PM ET live via Zoom.
9:00 am PT / 10:00 am MT / 11:00 am CT / 12:00 pm ET / 1:00 pm AT / 1:30 pm NT
Children and youth grieve differently than adults grieve and when the loss is to suicide, the path forward can feel even more uncertain. So, how do we support children and youth after losing someone to suicide?
Please join us for this fireside chat, as we hear Kirsten White and Jenna Wray, along with host Jocelyne Ludgate, discuss how young people experience grief, what they need from the adults around them, and how to respond with compassion and care. Through this conversation, we’ll unpack common questions and challenges and leave with insights to support young people through suicide loss.
Coordinated by CASP’s Lived Experience Working Group, the event will include a moment of silence and time for reflection as we gather to observe this special day.
This event is offered in English and registration is required – see link below.
Kirsten White (she/her), R. Psych, has been practicing in the area of grief, trauma, and end-of-life care for over a decade. Kirsten started her career working with non-profits counselling children and parents through grief, including suicide loss and traumatic death. Seeing a need in the community to address suicide loss and other losses, she has created a centre to offer a central location in Calgary (Treaty 7 Territory) for grief and trauma counselling support. Kirsten also offers trainings and workshops for organizations and trains counsellors in areas specific to grief and grief counselling. Kirsten believes strongly in collaboration and continuing education.
Jenna Wray (she/they) is a member of CASP’s working group for people impacted by suicide. With 15 years in the non-profit sector and a background in human services, Jenna has dedicated their career to mental health and suicide prevention, working closely with individuals, organizations, and communities. As a facilitator for over a decade, they excel at guiding authentic and impactful conversations around complex topics. As a suicide attempt survivor, a person with lived experience of suicide loss and a supporter to many impacted by suicide, Jenna brings professional expertise, bridging best practices with personal insight. Grounded in hope and connection, Jenna offers a human-centred, compassionate, and credible voice to advancing mental health initiatives.
Jocelyne Ludgate (she/her) is a person with lived and living experience of suicide loss and an advocate for those impacted by suicide loss. She co-chairs CASP’s Lived Experience Working Group and is known for her warm, engaged guidance and for building understanding and meaningful experiences for people impacted by suicide. Jocelyne is a past member of CMHA – PEI’s Suicide Prevention & Life Promotion Committee, where she co-developed toolkits (Supporting Children & Youth to Grieve After Suicide Loss Kit and A Resource Kit for Adults Impacted by Suicide Loss) and was a keynote speaker at public events. Her passion for promoting life and living and advocating for people impacted by suicide loss propels her continued work to end stigma and improve education and awareness surrounding suicide. She has a special interest in the support of children, youth and young adults as they navigate through their journey of loss, grief and healing. Jocelyne is an active community volunteer and enjoys a busy life with her husband and two children.
Please note that the presentation portion of this event may be recorded, however, we cannot guarantee that a recording will be approved and distributed after the event.
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