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Grief Support Groups

As time goes on, all of us will experience the loss of a spouse, family member, or close friend be it from natural causes, or a sudden or an unexpected loss.  And, although every person grieves differently, some people have a more difficult time than others after the loss of a loved one.

So what exactly is grief? Grief is a natural response to losing someone or something that is important to you. People may feel a variety of emotions, like sadness or loneliness. You can also experience grief with the loss of a pet, job, friendship, relocation, or the onset of a chronic illness.  

If you have experienced a loss and are feeling sad and unable to enjoy your life, it’s important to try and understand your emotions, take care of yourself, and seek support so you can heal. A grief support group can offer support and connection that comes from being with people who have experienced a loss. Grief support groups provide emotional support, validation, and education about grief.

Grief support groups are an excellent way to meet other people who are going through a similar situation. Sometimes people feel embarrassed or think attending a support group will be too awkward. They may even be convinced no one could possibly understand the depths of their grief, but there are always others who will understand. When you attend a support group, not only will others understand what you are going through, you will learn new coping skills. Attending these meetings will give you the opportunity to share your feelings without judgement and hopefully help you recover from your loss.

There is no “normal” amount of time to grieve. The grieving process depends on your personality, age, beliefs, type of loss, and support network. Hopefully with time, the sadness will ease and you will be able to enjoy life again along with the grief.

If your grief does not get better, you have a hard time accepting the loss, have a difficult time resuming your “normal” routine, feel depressed, or have thoughts life isn’t worth living, then you need to seek professional help with a healthcare provider or a licensed therapist. Prescription medications can help alleviate the depression. A licensed therapist can help you explore your emotions, teach you coping skills, and help manage your grief.

If you are grieving a loss, some of these things will help alleviate the pain of grief:

  • Give yourself time. Accept your feelings and know that grieving is a process.
  • Talk to others. Spend time with friends and family. Don’t isolate yourself.
  • Take care of yourself. Exercise regularly, eat well, and get enough sleep to stay healthy and energized.
  • Return to your hobbies. Resume activities that bring you joy or take up a new hobby that you always have wanted to try!
  • Join a support group. Speak with others who are also grieving. It can help you feel more connected. There are in-person and online support groups available. Some groups are time limited, while others are open-ended. Everyone experiences grief in a different way, so don’t expect your grief to be resolved in a certain timeframe. You may need more time and that’s OK!

Anyone who has experienced a loss are invited to the Grief Support Group Series at St. Therese of Lisieux from September 12, 2023 through November 7, 2023 on Tuesdays from 1:00pm-2:30pm. The Health Ministry will facilitate the group. If interested in attending, please contact the Parish Office at 596-254-443, or Marilyn Cito, Parish Nurse at 586-254-4433 Ext. 320, or via email at MarilynC@stol.church. New or people who have attended previous sessions are welcome!

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