Creative Bereavement Drop-in Session
Switchboard’s Suicide Prevention Program
We acknowledge that our work takes place on lands that are under colonial occupation and that sovereignty has never been ceded. We hope to pay our deepest respects to Boon Wurrung elders, past and present, and wish to extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across this Country we know as Australia.
Switchboard Victoria's Creative Bereavement Sessions
Switchboard’s LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement Program is hosting a series of creative bereavement sessions where participants will connect with loss after a suicide by participating in expressive exploration. When we experience grief, we feel big emotions, creativity and movement. Creative expression can allow us to understand our experiences differently, help us in our relationship to grief, and assist with connecting to our feelings and experiences that can feel beyond words.
Please register and leave your details for a call back to discuss your interest in attending.
One of our staff will be in touch to discuss with you what it might be like for you to attend this session or explore other support options.
Session
Date: Wednesday, 19th February
Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm AEDT
Location: Zoom (Online)
Facilitator: Ryan Abramowitz (he/him)
About the Facilitator
Ryan Abramowitz is a South African born, Melbourne / Naarm based queer artist, author and storyteller. Through his business ‘Today Tomorrow Forever’, Ryan feels honoured to paint wedding certificates through bespoke artworks that celebrate love stories.
Ryan's debut picture book 'Elegy for an Elephant' which he has authored and illustrated is inspired by his family's journey to process and repair from the passing of his father to suicide, with18% of profits donated to suicide prevention and postvention organisations. Ryan hopes readers navigating grief who turn its pages will feel seen, soothed and supported in their healing journey. Elegy for an Elephant has won a Northern Lights Literary Award, Nautilus Book Award and was shortlisted in the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards for outstanding Australian debut writing.
Elegy for an Elephant is available for purchase from: https://narrativesofnature.com/
Activity
In this session, author and illustrator Ryan Abramowitz will use his picture book ‘Elegy for an Elephant’, and the notion of elegies, as a foundation for us to reflect on how elements of the natural world such as animals, plants and landscapes can visualise the souls of loved ones we have lost. Drawing upon these powerful tools of allegory and artmaking, participants will be encouraged to create metaphorical expressions through watercolour painting as a way to honour their memories, legacies and relationships.
Registration
Places are limited so please let us know as soon as you can if you would like to come along, we will do our best to accommodate everyone.
If you'd like to join other LGBTQIA+ people who have lost someone to suicide and be involved in these creative series, please register via this event. One of our team will then get in contact with you to speak to you further about your interest in coming along.
If you have any questions about the event before you'd like to register please reach out: 0437 918 239 or via email: bereavement@switchboard.org.au
Need materials?
Reimbursement is available for art supplies for each session.
Bereavement Support
Switchboard also hold LGBTQIA+ Suicide Bereavement Support Groups, If you'd like to speak with one of our bereavement team about coming along, or had any questions about the groups, please get in touch. You can contact the team via phone 0437 918 239 or via email: bereavement@switchboard.org.au