A discussion of how to heal after the loss of a loved one will be held during a “Bereavement Support Group” meeting which will be held on Tuesday, March 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Knapp Medical Center Conference Center, 700 Knapp Medical Boulevard.
The meeting is free and open to all those who are grieving the recent loss of a family member or special friend. During the meeting, a video “Tear Soup”, will be shown, followed by a discussion activity afterwards on a “recipe for healing after loss.”
“This new Bereavement Support Group provides opportunities for learning and coping with the loss of a loved one,” said Erica Sanchez, LMSW, Social Worker with Knapp Hospice Care Services.
“Losing a loved one can be devastating,” Ms. Sanchez added. “The world changes for those in grief. While some may be grateful that their loved one is no longer suffering, there are countless others who feel that they were not ready. It is during these times, that reaching out for support from others can be most beneficial.”
Ms. Sanchez said that grief is a natural response to losing someone or something important to you. Those in grief can experience a variety of emotions, such as sadness or loneliness.
“Everyone goes through five stages of grief in his or her own way,” Ms. Sanchez said. “You may even go back and forth between the stages, or may skip some of the stages altogether. It’s important to know that even though the loss may have affected the entire family, everyone grieves differently.”
Support group meetings are planned for the second Tuesday of each month at Knapp’s conference center, which is a free-standing building on the west side of the hospital, with its own parking lot.
For more information on the Bereavement Support Group, please call Ms. Sanchez or Chaplain Oscar Quintana, M.DIV, at 956-973-1879, or e-mail esanchez7@PrimeHealthCare.com or oquintana@PrimeHealthCare.com.