what a bereavement support group looks like

What can I expect during the grief support group?

Information about the grief process and traumatic loss.

  • A safe place to share your story of loss and to express your emotions and feelings openly without judgement from others

  • Feelings of being understood and less isolated in your grief

  • Shared resources from the facilitator and group members (books, websites, readings, articles, community resources)

  • A place of validation for what you are going through

  • A place to heal, and support each other

  • Permission to feel what you feel and say what you need to say when you are in place of profound loss.

  • An opportunity as you heal to share your strength and resilience with others who are newly grieving. This can bring feelings of healing and a renewed sense of purpose as you support others through a similar loss.

  • All members are 18 years +

  • No costs are involved

The benefits of a peer-facilitated support group

INFORMATION SHARING

Healing Hearts group facilitators often discuss topics related to traumatic grief. This can provide insight and understanding for what you are experiencing physically, emotionally and cognitively. Facilitators will also be able to provide local resources, reading material and links that can assist you in coping with your loss.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Many families experiencing this type of traumatic loss express the isolation they feel and the difficulty in finding a support system that understands the challenges of Substance Use. In general, grief itself can feel isolating. By attending a peer based support group, you will hear other stories of “lived experience”. This can be supportive as you learn others have the same experiences and feelings that are similar to yours. This helps in validating your experience when you are feeling that no one else understands your experience.

PEER SUPPORT

You will have the opportunity to share your story openly and express your thoughts and feelings in an environment where nobody is pressuring you to talk and nobody is pushing you to “get over it”. You will also have the opportunity to hear the stories of others and learn strategies to help you cope with your loss.

A SAFE AND NON-JUDGMENTAL ENVIRONMENT

Many individuals suffering a loss related to substance use, often experience feelings of stigma. These feelings can be isolating for the person grieving if they encounter a sense of stigma related to the death. Healing Hearts is a place of mutual understanding and acceptance. Being part of a group where you feel accepted and validated is important. Grief is not a club anyone wants to belong to. Being with others who understand your experience has great benefit to your healing.

PROVIDING HOPE

Families will meet others who are at different stages of their loss. The early months of grief can feel insurmountable. Other participants who are further along their journey can provide hope to those who are new to grief and show that it is possible to feel joy again.

HELPING OTHERS

In a peer based bereavement support group there is healing in helping others. You will learn a lot about yourself in this unplanned journey of loss. In sharing your experience you may unknowingly impart insights and wisdom which helps others. Your growing strength helps to give hope to others. As participants learn to live with their loss, this provides hope to others who are newly bereaved.

a woman in need of bereavement support after losing a loved one to addiction

Do I need support?

Everyone’s grief journey is different. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Here are a few things to explore that might help you in deciding if a grief support group is right for you.

I DON’T HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM

You may feel you are struggling if you are some distance away from family and friends who could provide support to you. It can feel isolating to not have loved ones close by. Losing someone from substance use loss can bring with it many layers of grief. You may feel a sense of stigma from others which can contribute to feelings of isolation. If you have those feelings, you may benefit from a support group.

I’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS KIND OF LOSS

Losing a loved one from substance use related harms is traumatic. Many people share that they have experienced previous losses but nothing compares to the intensity of a traumatic passing. Individuals often don’t understand how a traumatic passing can affect them physically, mentally, and emotionally. Joining a support group with others who have experienced a similar loss can be reassuring.

I NEED TO BE WITH PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND MY LOSS

Being with others who have faced a similar loss can be reassuring. Sharing your grief journey and finding out that others have had similar feelings and emotions is validating. Being with others who have experienced the challenges of supporting a loved one through their substance use provides reassurance and understanding in working through the roller coaster emotions that are connected to losing a loved one to substance use related harms.