Mental Health Seminar: From Grief to Growth - Navigating Loss with Compassion and Strength

Grief is often associated with death, but loss takes many forms, shifts in identity, changing roles, unmet expectations, and the quiet disappointments that shape our lives. This seminar is led jointly by Karon Johnson, a clinical social worker and faculty member at UNC’s School of Social Work, and Darryl Owens, a clinical chaplain and bereavement counselor with decades of experience supporting individuals and families through loss. Together, they bring complementary perspectives from social work, spirituality, and clinical practice to explore grief as a deeply human and shared experience.

Drawing on research-based insights alongside reflective and compassionate practices, the session is designed to support both personal understanding and broader community impact. Participants will examine how grief influences identity, relationships, and sense of purpose, while learning practical tools for navigating loss individually and for thoughtfully integrating grief-informed approaches into community and care settings. With expertise in trauma, spirituality, and bereavement, the facilitators will invite participants to consider how we can honor what has been lost while remaining open to resilience, meaning, and growth. You will leave with a deeper understanding of grief and with approaches for fostering compassion, continuity, and connection during times of change.