Joining a Grief Support Group

Joining a support group can help those who are grieving. Many support groups were available in my area, and they differed widely. Before I joined a group, I did my homework and considered the following factors.

Factors in Joining a Support Group

Type of group: Support groups are supposed to meet needs. They include faith-based groups, disease-specific groups, end-of-life groups, after-death groups, and more. I wanted to find a group that fit my needs.

The meeting place: Support groups meet in churches, hospitals, and places that have a minimal charge or are free. I looked for a group near my building to reduce driving time.

The meeting time: Because I get up around four thirty or five in the morning, I preferred to meet during the day. I don’t like to drive at night, but I can if I need to.

Frequency of meetings: Many groups will meet on a weekly basis. I didn’t have the time to meet more often. Once every two weeks didn’t appeal to me.

Number of members: A small group suited me best. Before I joined a group, I needed to know how many members were in the group. Was the group accepting new members?

The group structure: I needed a group that was a true sharing, not a pity party. Group members would share coping tips, discuss the pros and cons, and come to conclusions.

A test drive: Before I joined a group, I decided to attend a few meetings. Instead of talking, I would just listen and observe group interaction.

Helpful leads: I wanted support group meetings to provide me with information about experts, organizations, and plans. It would be beneficial if the group had a resource library.

My feelings: After a meeting, I wanted to feel better. I knew from experience that I didn’t need to be friends with all members to benefit from meetings. When someone spoke, I could learn from them and try their helpful tips.

You Can Always Leave

If joining a grief support group doesn’t meet my needs, I can always drop out. A lack of confidentiality would be a reason to leave a group. I would also leave if the leader was abrupt or preachy. If I decided to leave, I would be courteous, respectful, and softspoken. I would follow my husband’s advice: “Never burn your bridges.”

Excerpted from Winning: A Story of Grief and Renewal: Hodgson MA, Harriet: 9781608082919: Amazon.com: Books.

Visit Harriet’s website: www.harriethodgson.net.

Read more by Harriet on Open to Hope: https://www.opentohope.com/get-a-grief-buddy/

Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 42 books, including 10 grief resources. She is Assistant Editor of the Open to Hope website, a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit www.harriethodgson.com.