Nova Scotia Grief Alliance Events
Through virtual education, regional roundtables, and our province-wide grief symposium, the Nova Scotia Grief Alliance brings people together to share knowledge, experiences, and support.
Online educational offerings provide valuable insights on grief-related topics, while regional roundtables create space for open discussions and learning opportunities.
The Province-wide Grief Symposium gathers grief researchers, health professionals, and community organizations to explore the latest in grief care and support.
The event schedule below will be updated regularly.
NS Grief Alliance Educational Offerings
*Click on the speaker's name to read their bio.
Upcoming Webinars
March 24, 2026 - Topic: Navigating Death and Grief in Veterinary Medicine
Time: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Presenter: Kathleen Dunbar, MSW, RSW- Clinical Specialist, RVT
This session explores the emotional realities of working in veterinary medicine, where frequent encounters with loss, suffering, and difficult decisions can take a profound toll. Participants will gain insight into the effects of cumulative grief on wellbeing, job satisfaction, and team relationships, while learning practical, compassionate strategies to support emotional regulation, self-care, peer support, and resilience.
February 24, 2026 - Topic: Grief Essentials
Time: 1:00PM - 2:30PM
Grief can affect us all differently, and many people wonder what is ‘normal’. Melissa MacDonald, RN CCPMH & Rune Black, MSW RSW – two Community Grief Facilitators with Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association will explore the natural, human process of grieving in response to many different types of loss. They will also uncover the common myths, and the many ways loss can show up in the mind and body. You will leave with practical tools for caring for yourself and supporting others. This workshop is intended for anyone working in the grief world, either directly or indirectly, or for anyone who interacts with those who may be experiencing loss of any type. Please note: This is an educational workshop, not a support group, and may feel tender for those with a recent loss.
Previous Webinars
December 9, 2026 - Topic: Short on Sunlight: Grief, Winter, and Holidays.
Date & Time: December 9. 3:00 – 4:30 PM.
This education session is for anyone interested in learning more about some of the special considerations for navigating grief and loss (for self and for others) during the winter months and holiday season.
September 10, 2025 - Topic: Supporting Grieving Children & Youth
This education session is for anyone interested in learning more about child and youth grief, and how to support children and youth who are grieving
Speaker: Linden Hardie, Bereavement Coordinator, IWK
September 22, 2025 - Topic: Managing Compassion Fatigue: What grief practitioners can do to support themselves and others
This education session is for grief practitioners, to help understand compassion fatigue, identify warning signs, and develop strategies for prevention and management.
Speakers: Sarah Newcomb-Anjo (she/her), PhD, RPsych, Advanced Practice Leader. Susan Jerrott (she/her), PhD, RPsych, Advanced Practice Leader.
Regional Roundtable Events
*2026 Regional Roundtables to be announced soon.
Summaries of each event can be found here.
| Regional Roundtables | Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Region Roundtable - Guest Speaker, Diane Connors. | September 12, 2025 | Debert Hospitality Center, 130 Ventura Dr, Debert | 10:00AM-3:00PM |
| Eastern Region Roundtable | June 6, 2025 | NSCC Waterfront Campus Sydney, 500 Esplanade Street | 1:00-4:00PM |
| Central Region Roundtable | October 2, 2025 | Future Inn, 30 Fairfax Drive, Halifax | 10:00AM-3:00PM |
| Western Region Roundtable | October 3, 2025 | White Point Beach Resort, 75 White Point #2 Road, Hunts Point | 10:00AM-3:00PM |
Geographic Regions
The NS Grief Alliance often refers to four regional areas to support event planning: Central, Northern, Western and Eastern. These regional areas align with Nova Scotia Health's health service planning ‘zones’ and is a guide only to assist participants in attending in-person events. Please see below.
Click to enlarge.
Central Zone
Halifax area, Eastern Shore and West Hants.
Northern Zone
Colchester-East Hants, Cumberland and Pictou areas.
Western Zone
Annapolis Valley, South Shore and South West.
Eastern Zone
Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish areas.
Photos courtesy of Nova Scotia Health.