Finding Help Through A Grief Support Group
Grief Support Groups
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, you may find that attending a grief support group can be helpful during this time. It is usually recommended that a person wait for a short period of time after the death to start attending the group. Support groups can be a way for you to talk about your loved one and your feelings in a caring and understanding environment.
What To Expect
From my experience, attending grief support groups has been helpful. It helps to talk to others who have an understanding of what you may be going through. You can discuss the problems you are facing while coping with the death of your loved one. Also, some groups provide a grief group leader or counselor who can offer some advice. You can hear stories from other people and hear what they may be doing to help them cope.
You may given a book or work sheets with some helpful information. Some groups have programs that run for a specific duration of time. During your time in the program, you may watch videos and/or discuss what you've seen or read in your book. Each week they may touch on a subject that talks about the grief process and may offer some helpful and uplifting suggestions.
The Process Of Grieving
Everyone grieves in their own way but the group can give you examples of what can be expected during the process. This was helpful to me to know that it is normal to feel the way I was feeling. It also teaches you that you should accept your grief and go through it rather than try to completely avoid it. However, take the time you need to grieve but don't get completely stuck in it where it affects your entire life and the lives of those around you. It offers suggestions on to how to cope and how to take care of yourself during the grieving process.
Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Some of the things that you may learn from the group is how to grieve in a healthy way. In other words, be kind to yourself and take care of yourself. Don't start a bad habit to cope with your pain. This can lead to more problems and make the grieving process much worse. If you find that your grief is overwhelming, you may want to seek the help of a professional who can help you work through your feelings.
The Emotions Of Grief
The grief group talks about all of the different emotions you may experience while grieving. This could be sadness, guilt, anger, disappointment and even happiness. You might even find a new happiness and appreciation for life when you realize just how fragile life really is. There so many different emotions that you might experience while grieving.
Sharing Stories
You are encouraged to share the reason why you are at the group and to talk about your loved one. If you feel that you can not talk at the moment, that is okay too. You can listen to other people share their stories. As you hear more and more from others, you might feel more comfortable to open up and share your story. The support that is received at these groups can be so beneficial. After the group meeting, some people may chat and hug each other. This can be very comforting during the difficult time of grieving.
Reach Out To Others For Support
You can find and make new friends by attending a grief support group. Maybe you could meet up once a month for lunch or dinner. Some people isolate themselves after the death of a close loved one. They may not get out often. Getting out and being with others who are supportive may be beneficial in your healing. If you need to cry, you can feel comfortable doing so while in the presence of those who understand you.
Finding A Group
There are a few ways to find a grief support group. Griefshare.org is a website that is especially helpful in finding a grief support group. You could also do a Google search to see if there are other groups that meet up near you. Call a local hospital or church in your area to see if they hold any grief support groups. If there are no groups in your location, you may want to find an online grief support forum. Reaching out to others who are supportive may be helpful to you in the process of grieving.
