Support groups can be very helpful because they bring together people with a common bond to share and encourage each another. There are many different types of support groups, with different formats and sizes. The common thread is that you’re all there to have a safe place to share your struggles, losses, hopes, and successes. We know that for many people, talking helps. Listening helps as well because helping others often enables you to better understand your own feelings. This is especially true of support groups for people who have lost a loved one. Even if you seem to be handling grief well, you still might benefit from the caring friendship a support group can offer. And you may also gain from helping others. If you’re unsure whether a support group is right for you, you might want to consider attending a meeting and seeing if it’s a good fit. There are a number of places to go to find a support group. Most hospice programs offer grief support groups. Local mental health centers, churches, and hospitals may also offer grief support groups. The healing process following the death of a loved one is unique for everyone. It’s a process that involves times when you need to be alone with your grief, but also times for sharing and support. As you reach out to others for support, you realize that you don't have to be alone with your sorrow. There are individuals who do not want to participate in a support group. Some may feel uncomfortable, while others may not participate due to work or family commitments. What is important is that they are around people who support them, whether it's through a support group or through their existing relationships with family members and friends. For more information on grief and loss, visit: http://www.extension.org/pages/Loss_and_Grief. Also see: "The Understanding Your Grief Support Group Guide: Starting and Leading a Bereavement Support Group" (2004) by Alan Wolfelt.

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