Psychologists Probe the Meaning of Mass Killing in Colorado

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 23, 2012) - The world's leading psychologists on trauma, loss, and meaning of life will gather in Toronto's Meaning Conference July 26-29, to answer such troubling questions as: How can we make sense of the senseless mass shooting? How do we bring healing to the survivors and the community?

Expert panels will include Christopher Peterson, author of Character Strengths and Virtues, Robert Neimeyer, author of Lessons in Loss, George Bonano, author of The Other Side of Sadness, and other world renowned scientists and clinicians.

"Meaning-making is the most powerful tool at our disposal," says Paul Wong, Conference Chair and Professor Emeritus of Trent University. "Conference participants will learn why a lack of meaning often leads to aggression, depression, and addiction, and how meaning-making can contribute to healing and flourishing."

The conference will be held in Delta Toronto East. It is open to mental health professionals as well as lay people. There are free events for the general public: A public lecture and screening of "Viktor and I" by Alexander Vesely, award-winning film-maker from Vienna and grandson of the legendary Vitkor Frankl.

Award-winning film-maker Aparna Sanyal will also screen "A Drop of Sunshine," a heart-warming documentary of a woman's triumph over schizophrenia. She will be doing some interviews at the conference for a new documentary on "What Makes Life Worth Living."

The Conference is organized by the International Network on Personal Meaning. Registration information can be found at www.meaning.ca/conference. For interviews, contact Dr. Paul T. P. Wong at drpaulwong@gmail.com.