Silent Grief Conference

Connections Counselling WA Presents
Silent Grief Conference 2017

Breaking the Silence on Pregnancy Loss, Infant Loss and Abortion Grief

Pathological grief is one of the most damaging aspects of pregnancy loss, infant loss and abortions. This type of grief remains one of the best-kept secrets of motherhood, not to mention fathers who are quite often the forgotten ones. For some men and women who mourn in silence they sometimes isolate themselves; deny that anything is wrong; and in some cases, quietly suffer from feelings of shame and guilt.

A conservative estimate is that 1 in 4 women miscarry and 1 in 3 women have an abortion, in addition to other types of pregnancy loss or infant losses. Whether you are aware of it or not we will all know people who have had some type of pregnancy loss, infant loss and abortion.
Left unresolved, pathological grief related to pregnancy loss, infant loss and abortion impact many areas of our lives and those close to us.

Dr Philip Ney, Professor of Psychology & Psychiatry says:

“Women who have been impacted by pregnancy loss are more likely to have pathological, incomplete grief, and therefore become depressed and alienated, impacting the bonding process.

This depression:

1. interferes with the bonding of parents to other children.
2. diminishes their ability to respond to their infant’s cry,
3. disrupts their parenting ability, and
4. interferes with immune function and thus adversely affects general health.

Abuse and neglect are often transgenerational. Studies and research show that when there has been neglect and abuse women are more susceptible to having an abortion. Also when there is unresolved Pregnancy Loss post-natal depression and anxiety occur more often.”

Life has many twists and turns. Along the way, we pick up luggage. A sea chest of grief, a sack of guilt, a suitcase of weariness and a brief case of discontent, add on a back pack of shame, overnight bag of loneliness, a trunk of fear and for women a cosmetic bag filled to the brim of make up to cover up the pain. No wonder we feel exhausted.

This day conference for women and men is an opportunity for you, your family members, friends, neighbours etc.. Silent Grief is about breaking the silence on pregnancy loss and infant loss and abortion grief. Whether you have had a pregnancy loss or not, grieving and supporting women and men to grieve, is both urgent and vital.

Truly inspirational women are silent no more, they will be giving words to their losses and grief along with guest speakers well-known preacher, teacher and leader Rob Furlong and manager and counsellor Lyn Varty.

Due to the sensitivity of this subject, we will not be providing childcare service.