ADEC’s 2026 Annual Conference

Baltimore, Maryland, USA

2026 Specialty Workshop AM (No CEs) 

Challenges of Another Level: Supporting Children and Teens after Suicide

Greg Adams, LCSW, FT

Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

1:30pm-4:45pm ET/Baltimore Time Zone

IN-PERSON ONLY

When death impacts the life of a child or teen, caring adults can often feel at a loss for words to support understanding and for finding effective support for grieving and a healthy adjustment. When the death is a suicide, these challenges become even more intense. In this experiential workshop, the complexities of helping children and teens understand a death by suicide and respond constructively to the questions and issues often present after a suicide will be explored. Best practices for communication and support will be both presented and solicited in a spirit of mutual learning. Presentation Level: Intermediate.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the grief and loss experience of children and teens who have been impacted by the death of someone in their life due to suicide.
2. Discuss societal stigmas and their impact on bereaved children and teens.
3. List practical tips and tools for supporting grieving children and teens affected by a suicide death.
4. Identify best practices for supporting bereaved youth after a death due to suicide.

About the Presenters:

Greg Adams, LCSW, FT, is Program Coordinator for the Center for Good Mourning and Staff Bereavement Support at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Greg has worked at ACH in a variety of roles and areas, including pediatric oncology and palliative care, since 1991. He is an adjunct professor with the University of Arkansas-Little Rock and has been an active volunteer with community and professional organizations. He is also author of Adam Gets Back in the Game, a children’s storybook about coping with grief and loss.

Pamela Gabbay, EdD, FT, is a nationally recognized author and trainer who has served the bereavement field in many capacities during her nearly 30-year career. Dr. Gabbay is part of the Youth Programs team at TAPS - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, and a member of the TAPS Advisory Board, as well as working closely with Coping After Suicide (CAS). Additionally, she is a National Trainer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and is the co-author, along with Andy McNiel, of Understanding and Supporting Bereaved Children: A Practical Guide for Professionals. Dr. Gabbay has served in a variety of roles in her career, including being the Director of Operations and Training for The Compassionate Friends, the Director of The Mourning Star Center for Grieving Children, and the Camp Director for Camp Erin-Palm Springs. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors for the National Alliance for Children’s Grief. Dr. Gabbay holds a Fellow in Thanatology (FT) from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and earned a Master of Arts degree in Cognitive Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She earned her Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University/UMass Global.