Support groups are wonderful places to give and receive.

As a group member you feel less helpless when others understand the depth and complexities of what you are feeling. When you feel understood by others you knock down the barriers between yourself and the outside world. The experience of trusting and being trusted are fostered. As you support each other in listening to your own inner voices and expressions of confusion, anger, sadness and guilt, you come to know your own inner truths.

And you learn information about renewing your hope in the future.

Support groups are not a cure for grief but rather an opportunity for focusing on grief work—a safe place to mourn, with others walking alongside you.

There are many Internet grief support groups that offer tribute pages and poetry and links to resources, including websites for bereaved pet lovers, general grief, suicide, homicide/murder, death of a child, military, MADD, for adult children who have experienced death of a parent….

Good luck finding the support you seek.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
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