A grief support group is once again running in Chilliwack.
GriefShare is a 13-week support group program, beginning Jan. 6 and running until April 7.
A GriefShare group is a “safe, welcoming place” where people understand the difficult emotions of grief, says group leader Monica Pain.
Members of the group will discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, they’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability — and gain solid support each step of the way.
At each weekly meeting, participants will watch a video featuring respected counsellors, pastors, and healthcare professionals on grief-related topics, and hear relatable personal stories of grief. After that is a small-group discussion to allow people time to talk, share support, and personally apply what they learned on the video.
Everyone will receive a book to take home filled with valuable exercises for navigating their personal grieving process. Participants also have access to additional online video supports on specific aspects of grief.
Topics include how to manage grief-related emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, anger, and regret; how to cope with the changes in life and relationships; and how to recognize what’s normal in grief and what to do if when feeling stuck or hopeless.
Pain says the program is open to anyone who is bereaved, whether it is recent or not so recent.
“No matter how long it’s been, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling,” she says, and those who have attended before can return.
For more details, and to find and register for a group, visit http://www.griefshare.org/ministries/212189.
To join the upcoming group, contact Monica Pain at [email protected]. Meetings will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 8871 School St., Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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