Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Share How You Can Help Support  Check out the terrific new post on Brittany Noble McCarthy's blog,
"Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Share How You Can Help Support," at https://brittanynoblemccarthy.com/survivors-of-murder-suicide-loss-share-how-you-can-help-support/ Brittany Noble McCarthy is a writer and advocate for two largely misunderstood areas: the life of military families and survivors of murder-suicide loss. In addition to pieces published with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and The Kentucky Derby Museum. Brittany is the co-founder of a murder-suicide loss support group, along with fellow survivor My Grief Connection founder Sara J. Cobb, and has connected with survivors across the country. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Communication, and is a certified Peer Mentor with TAPS. Brittany has participated in numerous grief and suicide workshops with TAPS and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She has also connected with leading researchers in the field of suicidology and community violence. This new post was co-written by several murder-suicide loss survivors, including Brittany & Sara, with the intent of helping educate those in survivors’ support systems. In it, they share what would have been most helpful – and what was not helpful – after their initial loss. They have joined in a single voice that they hope reflects anyone who has experienced the tragic loss of a loved one to murder-suicide or any sensationalized, traumatic loss. They cannot and do not speak for all survivors, but if you are a survivor of murder-suicide loss, they hope you know you are not alone. If you are a survivor of murder-suicide loss and are interested in connecting with other survivors for support and/or direction to resources, please reach out to either Brittany or Sara via email for information about their Survivors of Murder-Suicide Loss Virtual Support Group. This private support group meets twice monthly via Zoom to share our stories, encourage and support one another.
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Guest Blog by Amy Collett Meditation as a Coping Strategy: How to Revitalize Your Body, Mind, and Spirit  Photo via Unsplash Experiencing loss, excess stress, undue financial strain, changing family dynamics, and countless other external forces can be extremely challenging, especially during a pandemic. While starting up a hobby or creating new at-home routines can help ease the negative thoughts and emotions and monotony, an alternative to combating these stressors is meditation. Incorporating meditation into your life can help encourage calm amid pandemic chaos. But the benefits can extend well into the future, too. Dive deeper into meditation (and how to DIY at home) here with My Grief Connection. Why Meditation? Emerging research suggests that meditation is beneficial for both your body and mind. Of course, people who have been meditating for years have already felt the difference that daily practice makes in their lives. Want to know more about why you should choose meditation? Meditation Shows Promise for People with Grief and Depression Research on mindfulness and meditation suggests that regular practice may play a part in coping with depression and grief. Results are inconclusive in studies so far, but many researchers are spurred to learn more based on their own positive experiences with meditating and prioritizing mindfulness. Meditation May Help Ease Physical Pain Studies suggest that mindfulness meditation-based action can improve “chronic pain symptomology.” Participants in one study reported a better quality of life after finishing an eight-week meditation program. The results lasted at least three years, suggesting that any amount of meditation can make an impact. Meditation Might Relieve Worrisome Symptoms Though meditation isn’t a cure-all for every ailment, it can help reduce your blood pressure, banish symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and even alleviate insomnia, studies suggest. These physical benefits may reduce the need for some medications – though you should always consult with your physician before changing your regimen. How to Start (at Home) You can start meditating at home in a few simple steps. But first, you’ll need a safe, relaxing, and comfortable area to begin your mindfulness practice. To achieve a calmer space, clean and de-clutter it, and let in some fresh air. You don't need a lot of equipment to get started with meditation -- it is recommended that you have a mat or comfortable cushion to sit on. Whether you're listening to a guided meditation or calming music, a soundbar can enhance your mediation sessions by providing high-quality sound. Meditation for Beginners Starting out with meditation can feel intimidating, but it can be as simple and personal as you desire. Expert support is ideal, of course, but you can begin with deep breathing exercises to help melt stress away and spend some rejuvenating me-time in a quiet corner of the house. Positive Psychology suggests beginner-friendly techniques such as breathing, focus, and mantra meditations. But the beauty of this mind-opening activity is that you can make it your own. Of course, if you’re looking for guidance to get to expert-level and really change your life and perceptions, consider seeking professional support. Where to Turn for Support Navigating meditation on your own can seem intimidating. Plus, common barriers to truly becoming mindful and entering a meditative state can stop you from making progress. The solution is to collaborate with an expert in meditation and mindful breathing techniques. You can get one-on-one support, either in person or remotely, to change your approach to meditation. Over time, you’ll find that regular meditation cracks your horizons wide open and exposes you to growth you never thought you could achieve on your own. Whether you go it solo or enlist the help of a coach or partner, dedicate some of your time to meditation. It can provide you with healing and better coping techniques, whether you're dealing with loss, financial hardships, or pandemic-related stress. If you're experiencing loss of any kind, or would like to support an individual who's dealing with grief, visit My Grief Connection for helpful resources such as support groups and grief services. Amy Collett is creator of Biz Well, a website that helps professionals and entrepreneurs build and strengthen their personal brand. When she isn’t helping clients boost their careers or businesses, she enjoys coaching her daughter’s soccer team and training to become a yoga instructor.
3/15/2021 Journey to Hope: Virtual Young Adult Grief Support Group (NO COST) - JUn-Aug 2021Read Now Journey to Hope: Virtual Young Adult Grief Support Group (NO COST)
Via Zoom from 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Mondays, June 7 - August 2, 2021 If you or someone you know is a young adult (ages 18-30) who is looking for tools to help journey through the grief process, please check out the 2021 Virtual Young Adult Grief Support Group, Journey to Hope, from Highmark Caring Place. This virtual/social setting is designed to be an educational support group focused on empowering young adults to learn how to navigate their “new reality." For additional information or to RSVP, E-mail contactus@highmarkcaringplace.com or call 866-212-4673 or 814-871-6868.  Gloom to Bloom Coaching is Hosting a March "Grief Tea" Event
March 07, 2021 from 11:00 AM – 11:40 AM EST via Zoom. "Grief Tea" is a safe community space for grievers. Each month gathering opens with a discussion question to jump start conversation. No need to share if you're not feeling up to it! It is a place to laugh, cry, listenand reflect. Bring on the cozy vibes with your favorite warm beverage and join us. Register at https://cjclarizio.wixsite.com/gloomtobloomcoach/event-details/grief-tea-group-march  Nampa, Idaho Grief & Loss Support Group
Starting on Thursday, March 4, 2021 from 7:00 PM-8:00 PM MST First United Methodist Church (GPS room/portable), 2717 12th Ave. Rd., Nampa, ID 83686 Group will be held on the following dates: March 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th April 1st, 8th, 15th, & 29th (NO CLASS Thursday April 22nd) May 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th This group is in person so attendees will need to wear masks and agree to appropriate social distancing to participate (Keeping 6 foot distance from others). Due to Covid-19 safety precautions the number of people allowed into the group is limited to the same 10 people, all of whom will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms. This is a "closed group" meaning that there are no drop-ins and you will need to pre-register. For more details or to pre-register, please email Bonnie at: nampacounselingsolutions@gmail.com Be sure to leave a phone number where she can contact you to determine if this group is a good fit for you.  Journey to Hope Support Group
Via Zoom from 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Thursdays, February 18th – April 15th, 2021 If you or someone you know is a young adult (ages 18-30) who is looking for tools to help journey through the grief process, please check out the 2021 Virtual Young Adult Grief Support Group, Journey to Hope, from Highmark Caring Place. This virtual/social setting is designed to be an educational support group focused on empowering young adults to learn how to navigate their “new reality." For additional information or to RSVP, e-mail Davina Pacley at davina.pacley@highmark.com or call 866-212-4673 or 814-871-6868.  Trauma Healing Support Circle
All are welcome to join this entirely online trauma support group hosted by For You Network. This group is is welcoming, non-judgmental, all inclusive group for everyone. It will be especially helpful for those with a desire to heal the impact of trauma, support the healing of a loved one, and connect with other people on similar journeys of recovery. Whether the sudden and tragic death of a loved one, an unexpected severe physical injury, an unhealthy relationship ending in heartbreak, a humiliating experience in childhood, a chaotic and dysfunctional upbringing, sexual abuse, domestic violence, suicide by someone close to you or thoughts of it yourself, addiction habits, battle with mental health illness, or any other form of trauma you have endured. You are not alone. Upcoming meetings: Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 6:15 PM MST – 7:30 PM MST Follow the For You Network on Facebook and visit their events page for details on how to join the support group circle. See the discussion posts in each scheduled event for link to join the group on Google Meet video chat (video is optional, you can just use audio if you prefer). https://www.facebook.com/events/2811747015763616 **Adults and mature teens only**  Physician Support Line: 1-888-409-0141
Physician Support Line is a national, free, and confidential support line service made up of 600+ volunteer psychiatrists, joined together in the determined hope to provide peer support for their physician colleagues and American medical students as we all navigate the COVID-19 epidemic. Free & Confidential. No appointment necessary. Open 7 days a week, 8:00AM - 1:00AM ET https://www.physiciansupportline.com/ https://www.facebook.com/PhysicianSupportLine  Silent Night Support
Thursday, Dec 24, 2020, Christmas Eve from 3:00 - 3:45 PM EST Are you silently grieving a loss? For those missing a loved one this Christmas Eve, all is NOT calm and bright. Silent Night Support is a virtual meeting to honor and speak of the people in our lives that we love but can't be with this Christmas Eve. The loss you or your family is experiencing does NOT have to be due to the death of a loved one. Please attend if you are grieving a loved one you can't be with for any reason. It could be addiction, incarceration, or untreated mental health issues, among other unfortunate situations. This is a non-religious event and all are welcome. Come to honor your loved one and find a few moments of comfort amongst the chaos. If you would like to participate in the family-friendly grief activity that will be demonstrated, please have the following available: Small candle - electronic candles are better for young children A clear glass jar candle holder Clear modge podge Tissue paper in different colors A photo of the loved one (optional) Words cut from a magazine that honor the loved one Take care of yourself, find a moment of comfort and share your loss with others who can hold it with you this Christmas Eve. This special event will be hosted by Beth Tyson, MA, a psychotherapist, grief and trauma specialist, and "motherless mom". She created Silent Night Support because she wants to offer you a space to express your grief and connect with others on this tender night. To learn more about Beth Tyson, Trauma Care please visit her website www.BethTyson.com. Please register now to save your spot at https://tinyurl.com/silentnightsupport  Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved One
Dr. Betsy Guerra of Better With Betsy is going to share HOW to honor your loved ones during the holiday season in her FREE Webinar, "Surviving the Holidays After the Loss of a Loved On", Tuesday, December 15th at 8:00 PM (EST). Join her as she shares how she survives the holidays and learn: What works What doesn't How to prepare How to honor the loss of your loved one Register for FREE at www.hurt2hope.com/webinar  GriefShare at Nampa First Church of the Nazarene - Begins 17 Jan 2021
601 16th Ave South, Nampa, Idaho 83651 Have you recently lost a loved one? GriefShare classes will begin on Sunday, January 17, 2021. Classes will be meeting during the Sunday School hour (10:00-11:15 AM) upstairs in the sanctuary in room S255. This is a 13 week video/discussion series with a workbook led by Don Ludwig and Marsha Rogers. Please pre-register by contacting the Nampa First Church office at 208-466-3549 or Marsha Rogers at 208-989-1098, or online at www.griefshare.com Group Facilitators: Don Ludwig and Marsha Rogers, (208) 989-1098  Saturday Support with From Grief To Growth
Saturday Support is a virtual drop-in support group designed to connect individuals living with traumatic grief or who have experienced a sudden, unexpected loss. Moderated by Dr. Jennifer R. Levin of From Grief To Growth, these meetings will be held each Saturday from 9:30 - 10:30 AM(PST) through the end of 2020. Meetings will provide participants an opportunity to share their experiences, learn more about traumatic grief, and gain new coping mechanisms and resources to help manage trauma and grief. These Meetings will take place over Zoom and will be interactive in nature (all participants will be encouraged to share their audio and video). Saturday Support is not a therapy group and is available to participants throughout the United States. Privacy, respect, and confidentiality is expected from all group participants. The fee for Saturday Support is $20 per meeting and pre-registration is required. You can pre-register for whichever date(s) you like. Register at: https://fromgrieftogrowth.mykajabi.com/saturday-support  Faith & Grief Online Support Gatherings For September & October 2020
During this time of Covid-19 recommendations, Faith & Grief is offering support gatherings on various days of the month at Noon CST. For the safety of their participants, they and their host sites will not be hosting in-person support gatherings for the time being,please check for updates on future in-person support gatherings. Here are the dates for the upcoming online grief support gatherings: Thursday, September 17th Friday, September 24th Tuesday, October 6th Thursday, October 15th You can also join their Facebook group for updates, daily prayers & resources. Please register and you will receive an email confirmation with the meeting access link & dial-in instructions. https://www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/  Faith & Grief Online Support Gatherings For September 2020
During this time of Covid-19 recommendations,Faith & Grief is offering support gatherings on various days of the month at Noon CST. For the safety of their participants, they and their host sites will not be hosting in-person support gatherings for the time being,please check for updates on future in-person support gatherings. Here are the dates for the upcoming online grief support gatherings: Tuesday, September 1st Friday, September 11th Thursday, September 17th Friday, September 24th They will be posting updates on their website and Facebook page. You can also join their Facebook Online Gathering Group for updates, daily prayers & resources. Please register and you will receive an email confirmation with the meeting access link & dial-in instructions. https://www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/  Walking Through Grief: Tools for Finding Hope Along the Grief Journey 10 Week Grief Support Group Held virtually viz ZOOM so anyone anywhere in the country can join in. If you or anyone you love is grieving the death of a loved one, save the dates for the next Walking Through Grief Support Group. Hosted by Willioughy United Methodist Church, on Thursdays, Sept. 17th - Nov. 19th from 6:30 - 8:30 pm (EST). The goal of “Walking Through Grief” is to be the “arms of Jesus” to people who are grieving the death of a loved one & give them much needed tools, support, encouragement & hope in their grief journeys. Over 200 people have gone through this program since it was started in 2014. This class is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. If you know of someone who might need this type of important grief support, please pass this info along. All materials are provided FREE of charge & there is NO COST to attend. Please register or request more information by emailing cathys@willoughbyumc.org Group facilitator, Cathy Schneithorst, will confirm your registration or contact you to answer any questions.  Faith & Grief Online Support Gatherings
During this time of Covid-19 recommendations, Faith & Grief is offering support gatherings on Fridays at Noon CST and starting May 20th on Wednesdays at Noon CST. For the safety of their participants, they and their host sites will not be hosting in-person support gatherings for the time being, please check for updates on future in-person support gatherings. Here are the date for the upcoming online grief support gatherings: Friday, May 15th at Noon (CST) Wednesday, May 20th at Noon (CST) Friday, May 22nd at Noon (CST) Wednesday, May 27th at Noon (CST) They will be posting updates on their website and Facebook page. You can also join their Facebook Online Gathering Group for daily prayers & resources. Please register and you will receive an email confirmation with the meeting access link & dial-in instructions. https://www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/  Living with Traumatic Grief: 3 Questions to Guide Your Grief
FREE webinar hosted by From Grief To Growth Monday, May 18, 2020 at 10:00 am (PST). Register now at: https://fromgrieftogrowth.mykajabi.com/living-with-traumatic-grief  Discover Life Again—A Live Virtual Class Offering
Healing and Wellness in Life After Loss a VIRTUAL CLASS OFFERING from Sunrise Retreats Mondays at 6:00 pm for 6 weeks, starting May 11th. Register here: https://sunriseretreat.org/classes You were already processing the loss of your spouse or loved one and then... COVID-19 happened. Isolation, uncertainty, and additional stress may have compounded the grief you are already processing. After experiencing such devastating change, we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and confused, to say the least. All of the change and stress can take a toll on our health and well-being. While this is not a grief support group, this is a place to find tools for navigating your overall health and wellbeing during this time. In addition to stress management practices designed to calm, heal, and restore our nervous system, we will also discover your unique vision for creating new life. |
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