Description
Social media constitutes a powerful tool for death education because of its ability to reach geographically distant and socially disenfranchised populations, as well as cultural groups inherently hesitant regarding mental health intervention (Houben, 2012). Many members of the Hispanic communities do not readily trust services offered through traditional mental health institutions. Instead, they are increasingly using social media to connect with their trusted circles and discuss health information. The presenter will also describe rich traditions within the Hispanic culture, including celebrations of the Day of the Dead, to illustrate how death and grief are understood within these populations (Roman, 2020). Using examples from bereavement/grief counseling, the presenter will show how social media can be leveraged to reach an intended audience and generate participation in death education and grief support endeavors in a manner accepted by a large and growing number of followers.
Maryland: This workshop meets the requirement for Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice for Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners' COMAR 10.42.06.03.A.(1)(d) with a focus on cultural humility.
District of Columbia: This workshop meets the continuing education requirement for DC Public Health Priorities in the following topic: 10. Implicit bias, cultural competence and Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in health and health care.
Instructor
I am from Guatemala, the second of 3 brothers, born on July 25th, 1967. Raised by a single mother, I attended elementary, junior, and high school in my country, where I also obtained my BA degree. In 1998, I married my wife Saira Gomez, who later became pregnant with our first baby. The pregnancy seemed normal initially, until she began experiencing health issues associated with her pregnancy. However, we were unaware that she was born with a heart condition, and her health rapidly declined, leading to a massive heart attack just 2 weeks before she was due to give birth. Tragically, she passed away on September 5th, 1999, along with our unborn child. The loss of my wife and baby dramatically changed my life.
Seeking a way to cope with their loss, I moved to the United States in March 2000. Leaving my country, family, and friends brought another wave of grief into my life. Despite the challenges, I was determined to start anew far from the place of my traumatic loss. As I gradually adjusted to my new life, I thought I was finding meaning amidst the grief, only to face another tragedy when my oldest brother died by suicide in January 2006. His death plunged me back into profound grief, and I struggled to find resources to cope.
This experience motivated me to seek self-education on grief, leading me to read numerous books on the subject. During this time, I had the opportunity to work at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks & Mortuaries in 2007, providing funeral services for the Hispanic families. In 2011, Forest Lawn appointed me as the Grief Coordinator for the Latino Community. I became a member of ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling) in 2012 and obtained my Certification in Thanatology in 2013. For the past 12 years, I have worked in this capacity, assisting hundreds of families during their most difficult times.
In 2017, we launched our Facebook page “Corazones en Duelo” to provide virtual grief support to the Hispanic Community, which expanded significantly through the pandemic. With over 85,000 followers, it continues to grow every week. We built our presence on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Currently we have 14k followers on TikTok.
It is an honor to help grieving individuals either in person or through social media. My goal is to assist them in normalizing and assimilating their grief, while also finding ways to honor the memory of their loved ones.
Agenda & Learning Objectives
AGENDA:
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm Log on/Registration
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Why Hispanics Resist Grief Counseling
2:00 pm – 2:07 pm Break (7 minutes)
2:07 pm – 3:07 pm Hispanics and Grief Rituals
3:07 pm – 3:15 pm Break (8 minutes)
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Social media as a Grief Tool and Q&A
4:15 pm Adjournment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
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Explain how Hispanic populations can become disenfranchised from traditional mental health services, such as grief counseling and support groups.
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Describe collective expressions of grief in the Hispanic cultures, such as the traditional celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
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Discuss the role social media can play in promoting awareness of healthy grieving and provision of grief support through online programs and resources as an alternative.
Bibliography & References
BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES
Acevedo, N. (2020). Latinos rely more on social media as a coronavirus lifeline, Nielsen report finds. NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/latinos-rely-more-social-media-coronavirus-lifeline-nielsen-report-finds-n1235968
Andrade, Mary J (2022), Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life / Día de los Muertos: Pasión por la vida
Houben, L. M. (2012). Counseling Hispanics through loss, grief, and bereavement: A guide for mental health professionals. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Houben Ligia, (2022) My Meaningful Life, LLC, Déjame Vivir mi Duelo. Florida: La Agencia de la Palabra
Regina M. Marchi, (2009, Rutgers University Press, Day of the Dead in the USA: The Migration and Transformation of a Cultural Phenomenon (Latinidad: Transnational Cultures in the United States).
Román, I. (October 29, 2020). Day of the Dead: How Ancient Traditions Grew Into a Global Holiday. HISTORY. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.history.com/news/day-dead-dia-de-muertos-origins
Target Audience
Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists
We welcome anyone interested in the topic!
Late Fees and Refunds
The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.
Late Fee: On September 12, 2024, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.
Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.** Cancellations must be received 24 hours in advance prior to the workshop to receive a refund or an account credit.
ADA Accommodations
If you are requesting ADA accommodations, please contact our office via email at least two weeks prior to the workshop date. Requests after that date may not be fulfilled.
Our email address is cpe@ssw.umaryland.edu.
