Little Company of Mary Offers Grief Support Groups for Children and Adults

The death of a loved one brings emotional turmoil and requires adjustments in life, which can be the most stressful of all changes. It is natural to lose a sense of identity as a spouse, parent, child, or friend. The necessary changes from former roles and relationships can be difficult and gradual and most importantly, does not have to be done alone.

Little Company of Mary Hospital offers an adult grief support program, Living: When a Loved One Has Died. This program offers supportive and skilled companionship for those who are mourning the death of their loved one. The next session begins on Wednesday, March 9, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will continue for six consecutive weeks.

Each session will be held on the first floor of Little Company of Mary Hospital. Support groups are formed by specific loss, be that a child, spouse, parent, or sibling. The leaders of this program make a sincere effort to provide sensitive and quality care.

Grieving the death of a loved one early in a child’s life is not something they should experience alone. The Heart Connection Program at Little Company of Mary Hospital was started in 1995 to help children five to 18 years old deal with this type of loss.

Children are placed in groups of their own age and similarity of loss, guided by dedicated adult professionals helping them understand and express their painful feelings. Through creative art activities, music, poetry, pet therapy dogs, and their personal sharing, children and their families are helped to find healthy ways to cope and express their grief.

Special support groups are also offered to individuals who only speak Spanish.

The six-week spring session of the children’s the Heart Connection Program will begin on Monday, March 14 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Little Company of Mary Hospital on the eighth floor.

Pre-registration is required for both programs.

For more information or to register for these or any of the bereavement programs offered at Little Company of Mary Hospital, please call Katy Cassingham, LCMH Bereavement Coordinator, at 708-229-4299 or Arlene Dulski, LCMH Bereavement Counselor, at 708-229-5484.

Little Company of Mary Hospital is located at 2800 W. 95th St. in Evergreen Park.

~ Submitted by LCMH