Support group planned for grieving spouses

Cheryl Wales is creating a support group for people who are grieving the loss of a spouse. Members will be encouraged to provide comfort, emotional support and practical advice to each other as they work through the grieving process together.

Wales would like to hear from community members who feel the group could be of benefit to them.

“The idea behind it is to give people a forum to connect with other people experiencing that kind of loss. We will use materials by a renowned grief specialist, there will be a book and a workbook, and the idea is to be able to process their grief and help those around them do the same,” she says.

“My role is just to be a facilitator.”

The group will be open to any bereaved spouse, no matter how long it has been since your loss. Those who have lived with grief for several years can be invaluable supporters, Wales explains.

“They have some things to bring to the table that someone who lost their spouse two months ago would not have. It’s finding people all along the spectrum, because they can be such good resources for each other,” she says.

“No one understands it except another person who has gone through that process.”

Wales hopes the group will provide practical as well as emotional support, helping members navigate through their grief more easily. If you are shy or do not yet feel able to vocally contribute, she invites you to participate as an observer.

“The cost would be very minimal. They need to buy their materials and then $10 per session,” Wales says, suggesting that early afternoon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays is her initial thought for the regular group sessions.

The purpose of this group will be to specifically provide support for people who have lost a spouse, but Wales may launch a second group for those who are suffering the loss of a child.

“Losing a child is devastating, but it’s a different set of issues,” she explains.

The group will be held at the Church of Christ and will be a closed group after the first two sessions. Wales encourages interested parties to try two or three sessions to see if the group fits their needs.

“If you are interested, you can contact me. My hope would be to start it by July,” says Wales. Contact her at 290-0317 with questions or to express interest in joining the group.