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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience of grief and bereavement can feel especially isolating, as the typical rituals and gatherings can only be held with restrictions, delayed, or sometimes not possible at all. It is unclear when we will be able to resume face-to-face support and community workshops, but we want to assist you in accessing available virtual resources and local contacts. Our services remain available by telephone, home visits, and mailings.
The following websites focus on grief in general and offer portals to virtual meetings and education.
GriefShare offers general support for those who have lost a family member or friend. To search for available virtual groups, click here. Grief Share also provides daily email encouragement. Prior to the pandemic, a local group met in Pittsfield.
VeryWellMind offers mental health information and sponsors an assessment of different types of virtual groups by a clinical social worker.
Grief.com is a website featuring grief expert David Kessler, who has worked collaboratively with Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. He offers an online healing group with preparatory materials and membership in a confidential Facebook virtual support group .
Hospice Foundation of America lists websites for support groups for various types of losses:
• AARP (seniors)
• National Widowers Organization (men)
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Griefnet.org (adults)
Many grievers feel most comfortable with support from those who have experienced their type of loss. The above websites can also direct you to more focused support. The following resources are potential supports for specific needs. Most have had a local group meeting face-to-face prior to COVID-19.
• Bereaved Parents (Compassionate Friends). Locally, there is a chapter based in Sheffield.
• Loss Due to Substance Abuse (Learn to Cope)
• Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention
• Pet Loss