Mental Health Seminar: From Grief to Growth - Navigating Loss with Compassion and Strength
Thursday, February 26 | 12 pm - 1:30 pm
Grief is often linked to death, but many of life’s losses are quieter and less visible, changes in identity, shifting roles, unmet expectations, and transitions that leave lasting marks. Led jointly by a faculty member and a campus chaplain, this seminar explores grief as a shared human experience, drawing on research-based insights alongside reflective and compassionate practices. Participants will examine how grief shapes identity, relationships, and sense of purpose, while learning practical ways to navigate loss in their own lives. The session will also consider how individuals and communities can create space for grief in supportive, meaningful ways. Participants will leave with concrete tools for honoring loss, fostering resilience, and sustaining compassion and continuity through periods of change.
Karon Johnson, MACM, MSW, LCSW, CCTP is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work. She also serves as Director of Well-Being and Assistant Director for Practicum Education. She graduated from the UNC School of Social Work and is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Her work focuses on improving mental health knowledge and support among clergy and faith leaders. She teaches direct practice courses and supports students working in adult mental health and substance use settings. Her interests include ethics, trauma, grief and loss, and the connection between spirituality and social work. She is a bilingual clinician and also runs a private practice in Durham, North Carolina, where she supports individuals for whom religion or spirituality are important.
Darryl Owens, M.Div., BCC, CT, CPLC is a Clinical Chaplain and Bereavement Counselor with many years of experience in healthcare and community settings. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his Master of Divinity from Duke University. He has served as a Clinical Chaplain at Central Prison in Raleigh and has worked at UNC Hospitals since 2001 as the Women’s Services Chaplain and Grief Counselor. His role includes providing grief support to patients, families, and staff at the North Carolina Women’s Hospital. He also helps lead the perinatal bereavement program and hospital worship services. Mr. Owens holds certifications in clinical chaplaincy, grief and loss, and perinatal loss care. He continues to serve in leadership roles and remains active in his local church and professional communities.
The Mental Health Seminar series is open to students, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty, and staff. They create a space for learning, reflection, and discussion. The overall goal of the seminars is to empower all campus community members to help influence campus mental health and well-being.
