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After the loss of a loved one, we experience a wide variety of feelings and emotions. The ever-changing emotions we experience with grief can catch us off guard, causing us to act out of character, or differently than our typical personality and demeanor.
We all need a support system to help us as we move through our grief journey. While family and friends are vital, unless they have experienced a close personal loss, they most likely don’t fully “get it.” That is where support groups can become a valuable resource. In a support group, you will find 10 or so new comrades also living life after loss.
Grief support groups offer companionship and understanding from others who have experienced a similar loss, and are experiencing the similar challenges that living with grief brings.
In a culture that often avoids talking about loss, support groups give you the opportunity to share your story openly and guilt-free. You also have the opportunity to hear the stories of others and talk about coping day-to-day, as well as on the most difficult days of our grief journeys.
If you are looking for a support system in your grief journey, you should consider support groups. You will likely find the following things there:
- Emotional and physical support in a safe and non-judgmental environment.
- Support and understanding from others who have experienced a similar loss.
- The opportunity to begin the healing process through sharing your own story and hearing the stories of others.
- Coping skills to help you through the most difficult days of your grief journey.
- Hope through companionship with people who “get it” and understand first-hand what you’re going through.
- The opportunity to discover new traditions and ideas to keep loved ones present in your hearts and in your memories.
- Increased understanding of how children and other family members react to loss.
- Permission to grieve and permission to live a happy productive life.
In the resources section of Hello Grief, you can search for local resources by state, including support groups.
The most important thing is – take care of yourself. Should you choose to do so by seeking out the support of a grief group, or
connecting one-on-one with a counselor or therapist, remember to take care of yourself. Grief is a life-long journey. Continue to seek out the resources you need to live a healthy, happy life.
17 Comments:
I heard this topic and organization over NPR yesterday. I am a 73 yr woman whose father died when I was 8 mo. old. I always sort of felt I did not deserve to grieve a loss since I never ‘knew my father’, but I have always carried a lump in this heart of mine for not knowing him. I also suffered the loss of my 37 yr son 17yrs ago, then I knew that grieving was a very long journey that never ends. My life continues but in a different perception than others I think.
I am in the 8th grade, and in one of my classes we had to pick a career that we might be interested in. I think I would like to be a grief counselor when I grow up because I lost my dad almost 2 years ago. He was 36 years old, and it was four days after my 12th birthday. Still, after 2 years, I still deal with the grief and lose. It is very hard. I think about him everyday of my life. I was a “daddy’s little girl”, and he is up there waiting on me to be with him again.
My teenage son died of cancer Oct 2011 need alot of support cannot sleep at not but in the day i good but i night i m restless keep hearing his voice i need support to get over the pain. I WISH I COULD SAVE HIM
My Mom died three years ago in a nursing home. We were very close. I went to a couple grief support groups after she died. My two older sisters and older brother act like they aren’t grieving. My grief returned after I moved into a new,much smaller apartment. I hear some of my church friends telling me to be ‘happy and joyful’ but I am grieving and feel depressed. They don’t want to understand. I think I may need another grief support group. Help.
Similar to the comment posted above by Kristi, I lost my mother on May 12th, 2010. I think of her often and dream of her at times. I lost my best friend to suicide in 2007. Two of my fellow soldiers in 2005. I lost my father in 2000, my grandmother in 1999, my grandfather in 1998. There have been many times I have struggled with depression but have always found a reason to go on.
I LOST THREE KIDS AND MY HUBSAND IN A YEAR.THE PAIN I FELL IS UNREAL. PLEASE HELP ME.
I lost my father on May 15th 2011. I have never dealt with his death. I was there when he passed. There have been some really important things in my life that I wanted him there with me. It hurts that he could not be there especially for my daughter’s wedding. He was very close to both of my daughters. I think of him often. He knew alot of things. He was always there for my sisters, brother and I. I know life moves on but it still hurts that he is gone.
I lost my son 2011. I found him in his bathroom.we were so close.He was just retired at 50 had just started a new life.I think of him everyday.I pass out often because of the stress.I can’t go on with out him. how do I cope with his passing.Please help me.
I lost my grandparents and my dog I had for 14 years in less than a year. My grandmother just died Memorial Day 2012. I just can’t function in life right now and I don’t feel I have the support I need. Nobody wants to be around a “downer”, angry depressed person. Everybody just wants to be around the positive perky people. Sorry but I just can’t slap on the fake smile face and tell people everything is ok just to make them more comfortable. I feel very alone with my grief.
I lost my husband almost 2 years ago. I never had the time to grieve because I had to make a living and support my son. Nobody seems to really understand what I am going through. I miss him so much. But there is no place to turn to share these feelings and I want to be strong for my child who is only 13 years old.
Omg…I wish didn’t have to deal with death. But the fact. Is we all are going to die one day. We have to have faith in god keep moving on. I lost my mom in 1995, my brother in 2004′ my other brother in 2008 then my dad in march 2012, now my 28 yrs old nephews. I am not able to sleep. I have 3 little kids…so mammy have to strong and make it through. I really feel for my sister in who lost her only son.
good morning I have been fighting a divorce I did not want and then afterwards we were still together often on he was my soulmate everything I dreamed of and live for he came down with leukemia in June of 2012 and had 2 months the only made it to July 2012 his children tried to keep me from him even though he wanted me to they were with him during the day but I spent the night care for him at home and they took him to the hospital when he finally did pass away they refuse let me see the body had an autopsy performed desecrating his body they only gave me a few hours doing at the funeral home and then tried to 90 access to the funeral I was with him long enough for him to raise my 2 children ages 5 to 26 we were all crushed but denied are grief I hate to hear just get over it that isn’t going to happen I will have to go through the steps myself I just got another grand baby that makes 5 altogether so I don’t feel so much like to join him the learning how to keep him in my life and still going on with my life any suggestions we who love and can’t stop are blessed and cursed
I recently lost my mother age 57
this is the most tragic loss one could endure. She died in her sleep due to 2 clogged arteries that the docs never looked for. I have had many deaths in my family but this has effected me so deeply. I don’t know how to cope sometimes. I haven’t been to church since June when my mom passed. I am struggling with my faith although I do not blame God at all.
In December 2011 my whole world came crashing down. I knew my mom was sick but I honestly thought she could beat the cancer like she did in 2008.
I’m 23 years old but it feels like I’m still that 17 yrold kid finding out that mom has cancer and realizing my life will never be the same again. I just graduated high school and had big dreams of going off to college, but that never happened. Even though I’m the youngest child all the responsibilities of taking care of mom landed on me.
In 2010 I wanted to take my life back and enrolled in a few college courses. As soon as it came time to get serious about school the cancer came back. I was constantly missing classes and important tests to take her to the hospital or even just to visit with her while she was in there.
Now she’s gone but I’m deeply depressed and haven’t had the strength to return to college. I just want her to be proud of me but half the time I can’t even get out of bed.
My dad past away on October 28,2012 at 4:58am. It happened fast my aunt called me around 1 in the morning and told me that the nursing home my dad lived at was sending him to the hospital. She called back and told me that they got him stable and that we don’t need to go up till later. Well at 5:15am my aunt called and told me that he died. That’s when my world came crashing down. I’m struggling to go on. On February 7,2003 our mom past away. It’s going to be 10yrs since shes been gone. I don’t think I grieved for mom because I was busy taking care of dad. Well now it seems that I have no purpose to go on. My niece is going to have twin boys in may so I guess I have that to look forward to. I love and miss you mom and dad so much.
I lost my Dad about 2 weeks ago. I know he was suffering and I did not want to see him hurting. He was 78. But he was my Daddy and it feels so sad inside. I know I will see him again some day in Heaven.
I’d like to share with those who are grieving that your loved ones live on in spirit and can actually see what is happening in our lives. I have been given miraculous proof of that. God wants to calm the frustrations and heal the pain of all types of loss. Find out more information by going to http://www.frommourningtomorning.com and see asking God to reveal the mysteries of life and viewing them from a celestial perspective can be very healing.