Middlesex Starts New Support Group for Young Widows and Widowers

May 29, 2018
Middlesex Starts New Support Group for Young Widows and Widowers

Losing a spouse is difficult at any age. If your partner dies young, the loss can be especially difficult.

Middlesex Hospital May Vita Support Group

Young widows or widowers are likely to have young children who are also grieving and greater financial and work responsibilities. Dating may also be part of their future, which may bring to the surface conflicting emotions, such as guilt or happiness.

All of these facets of life make it more difficult to process grief, and Middlesex Hospital understands this. The Hospital recently started a support group to help young widows and widowers cope with feelings, find meaning and deal with unfinished business. The group will also help them with memories and remembrances, maintaining and building relationships and with moving forward.

A bereavement group can connect widows and widowers with people who are going through a similar experience, helping them to feel less isolated. Coping strategies can be shared among group members, providing new ideas.

Middlesex Hospital May Vita Widow Support Group

Representatives from the Middlesex Hospital Cancer Center and Middlesex Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care lead the support group for young widows and widowers, which meets at the Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Center, 534 Saybrook Road in Middletown, every third Tuesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.

To register, contact Doreen Gagnon at 860-358-2053 or doreen.gagnon@midhosp.org, or Sherry Russenberger at 860-358-6091 or sherry.russenberger@midhosp.org.

Tips that help heal

  • Your natural tendency might be to stay at home and isolate yourself from others. As hard as it may be to get out and do something, go for it! Doing the opposite of how you feel can be a beneficial strategy during this time.
  • Socialize with friends and family. Decline social invitations sparingly.
  • Attend a bereavement support group, which will help you feel less isolated in your grief.
  • Engage in your usual activities, such as attending church and participating in a knitting group or book club.
  • Engage in moderate exercise to benefit both your physical and mental health.
  • Eat healthy.
  • Engage in healthy sleeping behaviors. (You don’t want too much sleep or too little.)

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