Grief Support Group
Hand In Hand Hospice offers a grief support
group every month to facilitate the grieving process for family members of
hospice patients and people in the community. This is an open group and
anyone who has experienced a loss due to death is welcome to attend. The
support group has helped many people cope with their losses. Following
are some examples of the advantages of attending support groups.
Emotional And Physical
Relief
Grief support groups may enhance the quality of
life. They provide emotional relief and, in doing so, can help
alleviate physical problems. They enhance the quality of life and help
people find new meaning in their lives.
Not Isolated In Grief
People do not have to grieve alone. While there are aspects of grief that are very
personal and private, sometimes the healing process may be delayed or extended
because of isolation. Grief does not need to be suffered in silence and
solitude.
Education
Grief Support Groups Are Educational.
Participants learn:
- Grief is a process or journey, not a race.
- Certain reactions are common.
- There are techniques people can use to help themselves.
- Doing and saying the right thing is not as important as
being present.
- There is a reason to hope again.
A Safe
Place
Grief support groups give participants a safe place to experience the
pain of loss, accept loss, adjust to loss, and reinvest energy into other
relationships and activities. Participants learn that a down day
is not a relapse, and a good day is not a cure. They learn to be patient
with themselves and others. Group members have the assurance of knowing
they have a place to go to talk, cry, and share. This process encourages
better self-understanding and enables participants to help themselves.
Relieving Loneliness
Attending a grief support group and meeting others will help the bereaved
overcome some of their loneliness. No one can ever replace the
person they miss or take away their longing for the one who died. But,
attending a grief support group may help a bereaved person use the memories of
the deceased in a meaningful way, adapt to a new environment, and relieve
loneliness.
Not All Sorrow And Tears
Grief support groups can be a place to have fun. People can
safely laugh at themselves and discover life is not all sorrows and tears.
No "Shoulds"
Being heard without judgment is a luxury in our culture.
Although suggestions may be given, there are no "shoulds" in grief
support groups. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Being heard and accepted, no matter what, is
a wonderful gift.
Sharing Memories
There is healing in sharing memories. Grief support groups
allow members to share stories. Support groups also encourage members to
be sympathetic, comforting listeners.
Discussing Decisions
The members of grief support groups help each other make decisions.
When a spouse dies, the survivor may have no one with whom to discuss ideas and
weigh options. Group members help by listening, making suggestions, and
sharing knowledge.
Making Friends
In support groups, members may make new friends. The
friends they have had before the death of their loved one may no longer be
available to support, understand, accept, and encourage. Total dependence
on a single support system is not good for mourners and is not always
appreciated by friends and family. Independence, with support from group
members, is accepted and encouraged. They attend the group because of the
need to find help from those who know and understand. New friends in
support groups may ease sorrow and support their journey through life.
All Grief Support Group meetings are held the third Monday of each month in the
Hand In Hand Office, located at 1015 Industrial Road, Suite A in Emporia. The meetings start at 5:30 p.m.
and end at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call (620) 340-6177 or
(800) 334-6215
No matter how intense the loss,
Healing is a healthy choice;
Healing is possible.
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