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Free grief support group sessions offered

Smith: Grieving the loss of a loved one is normal, but things get better

The 100 Mile District Hospice Palliative Care Society is offering area residents a free six-session grief support group on consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m., starting on March 24.

Sarah Smith, who is the Hospice Society’s bereavement co-ordinator, will offer education and a supportive atmosphere, so folks can share their grief and meet people who are also grieving.

Topics will include health, emotional and physical well-being.

Smith says most difficult thing for people who go to a grief support group is walking through the door.

“You have to be very brave, and once you are through the door, it’s a very welcoming and inclusive place to be.

“We normalize your grief. We talk about your fears, things you might be struggling with, and as a group, we support each other.”

Smith notes that people think they’re going crazy sometimes, they feel they’re not themselves any more and they’re becoming new people.

“This loss has never happened to you before and you’ve changed and are in the midst of

changing.”

When people go to support group, she adds, they realize other people are feeling the same things.

 

“With grief, there are so many emotions and it feels like depression, but it is loss and sadness. It’s normal to feel that way.

“After a certain length of time, there should be a slight change with things getting a little bit better, with the intensity of the grief lessens over time.”

Smith says it would most beneficial to go to all six session, but primarily the first session is the most important because there will be bonding and people in the session get to know each other.

“We will have some light refreshments. There will be some handouts and there will be some light homework, which is optional.

Registration is required, so for more information and to register, call the Hospice Society at 250-395-7680.