When does a broken heart become a mental disorder?
This statement was developed by a workgroup at the meeting of the International Work Group on Death, Dying and Bereavement in Victoria, British Columbia on April 28 – May 3, 2013. You have full permission to translate the document into other languages, and to distribute it via websites, blogs, the media, and other venues. It is our intention that the message be shared widely.
When does a broken heart become a mental disorder? Rarely, if ever.
But don’t tell that to the American Psychiatric Association, which has just released its fifth version of the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM is a catalogue of mental disorders,
hundreds of them, each trailing a listing of symptoms. The manual informs selection of a diagnosis,
which is required by U.S. insurance companies for reimbursement for mental health care.
There’s a major change in the newest version, DSM-5, with serious implications for the millions of
people who are coping with the death of a child, spouse, parent, friend, or other loved one.
2013 Reflection Benefit
2013 Reflection Benefit Gala
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in our event on Friday, May 10, at the Portland Art Museum. It was a great success and a wonderful evening!
Event details and photos coming soon…
Thank you to our 2013 Event Sponsors
View the 2013 Reflection Benefit Catalog here
The Dougy Center’s Donna Schuurman receives 2013 ADEC clinical practice award
Dr. Donna Schuurman receives Clinical Practice Award
PORTLAND, OREGON MAY 6, 2013
Dr. Donna Schuurman has been awarded the 2013 Clinical Practice Award by the internationally respected Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC.) ADEC, one of the oldest organizations in the field of dying, death and bereavement, is dedicated to promoting excellence and diversity in death education, care of the dying, grief counseling and research.
Talking with Children about Tragic Events
Donna Schuurman, EdD, FT
Executive Director
The Dougy Center for Grieving Children
The 117th Boston Marathon kicked off with 26 seconds of silence in tribute to the 20 children and 6 adults murdered in Newtown, Connecticut just four months prior. No one could have predicted the tragic outcome four hours later at the Finish Line, as everyday runners swarmed into the embraces of their loving family and friends. Among those eager supporters was 8-year-old Martin Richard, tragically killed in the first bomb explosion, another casualty of yet another senseless public mass murder.