Grief Support Groups
Those who have attended grief support groupsheld by State of the Heart express how they learned by listening to others and by sharing their feelings. And, those attending, say they no longer feel isolated in their grief; others experience it also. In many instances, friendships are formed with those attending offering support and friendship to one another. The State of the Heart adult groups meet once a week for six weeks; each session lasts two hours. Hours vary depending on the particular office conducting the sessions. Grief support groups are also held for children ages six to fourteen. These children’s grief support groups are offered in the spring and the fall in Darke and Mercer County. They are held once a week for five weeks. These sessions provide a mixture of dialogue and time for arts, crafts and games, keeping the children engaged and relaxed in an environment which feels “safe” to them. Anyone can attend the grief support sessions, regardless of whether they had any association with hospice care. This service is an important community outreach and exemplifies the commitment by the local non-profit agency to provide such services to members of the community.
Many are unsure of whether they want to attend grief support meetings. By taking advantage of the grief support services offered by State of the Heart, a person can confront and examine any number of common feelings many express following the death of a loved one. Areas explored include:
- » Feelings of intense loss after a loved one has died
- » Feelings of anger, sadness, withdrawal from friends, lack of concentration, sleeping and eating problems, and a general lack of interest in life in general
- » Deciding when to dispose of a loved one’s belonging. When is the right time for you?
- » Major life style changes ahead
- » Memorials or special ways to remember and honor your loved one
- » How to handle “down days” or periods when you feel overwhelmed by grief
- » Getting through holidays or special days that you shared with your loved one
- » Looking to the future and facing life ahead
