Local Support Group

[PeteJohnson2]

One of my favorite books is a book called “It’s ok that your not ok”. The book is all about grief and loss, though whats unique about it is it has parts to help people through their own grief. It affirms your feelings and gives wonderful advice about things to do to support yourself during the grief process.

The book also contains an amazing section on what you can do to support people going through it. I initially found the book and read it because I wanted to help some friends through the loss of one of their friends.

In the book it talks about grief support groups. The author is a therapist who witnessed her husband drown. She went to these groups and it was validating and helped to be around people who understood.

I want to start a support group in person or on zoom for people in my area. My question is, what would a meeting look like to you? What would help? This wouldn’t be specifically about people going through grief (though I wouldn’t discourage them) but through depression and anxiety. What would an ideal meeting like this look like to you? What would help? I’ve always imagined it as almost looking like an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but am wanting your advice on how to make it better! Or possibly a different format completely! I can’t think of anyone else more qualified to give advice on this than you guys! Please give me as much advice as you can! I want to help people, I know everyone is hurting in their own way and I want to help!

All of you are doing wonderful and I’m very happy to be part of this community! Thank you for everything!!!

[Dolphin14]

Hi

This is a great idea. Grief encompasses so many aspects of our lives. It's not just a death of a loved one, family or friend.

We definitely grieve pets, there is grief that goes along with losing a job, certain life adjustments we are forced into because of stress and anxiety , it could be leaving a place of comfort ( selling a home) etc etc

I don't know how AA meetings are run. I've been in a few support groups. My biggest issue was one or two people taking over the whole session. Without a person to curb those that like to hear themselves talk, many people go unheard.

Personally I like some education in a group, I would like the opening to be some sort of knowledge or reading on grief. Something brief but factual

Not sure this helps

🐬

[PeteJohnson2 in reply to Dolphin14]

That helps a lot!!! Thank you! I agree that education would help people make sense and understand their feelings! Do you have any ideas on how to encourage others to talk, while encouraging the people who talk to share the time?

[Dolphin14 in reply to PeteJohnson2]

I think some people need time to get comfortable with group settings.

There could be short amounts of time for each person to speak on a subject. I think the leader of a group should intervene if someone is monopolizing a group. General rules of don't speak over or interrupt someone while they are talking etc. personally I think these should be briefly reviewed before each meeting

I prefer structure so I lean more towards guidelines.

[LilyAnnepuppy]

Although it sounds like a wonderful thing to want to do for other people, I have a couple of thoughts. Other than reading the book, what qualifications do you possess to undertake this project? Have you been a member of a self help/peer run support group before? You’re dealing with serious mental issues here. Would there be a facilitator? If so, what qualifications would be needed?

I’ve been to a grief group and a social worker ran it. I don’t know how it would have worked without some relatively strict guidelines about time to speak, no cross talk, etc.

Are you going for therapy yourself?

Good luck with your project. But hopefully you will do a lot more research before embarking on the plan.

[PeteJohnson2 in reply to LilyAnnepuppy]

I’m still in the early stages of planning this and am just looking for advice that people can give on how to help people themselves. I haven’t worked through all of the logistics itself.