Can you name some websites or forums that provide support, counselling, or programs for seniors dealing with the grief of losing their loved ones?
An online grief support group is not a replacement for emergency services. If you or someone you know has a mental health crisis, you should contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, text “HOME” to 741741, or go to your nearest emergency room.
Grief in Common, Best Online Consoling and Support for All Losses
People who have experienced any loss can find support at Grief in Common. The purpose of Grief in Common is to connect people who have suffered similar losses with one another. Apart from free features, group and individual sessions are also available for an additional fee.
By creating a profile, you describe who you lost and how you lost them. When you do that, you join a chat room with people who have been through the same thing as you. Site features such as the forums, tribute pages, match feature, and resources page are free.
To use the live chat feature, you have to pay $0.99 a month or $9.99 for the whole year. The website offers to cancel this fee if that’s not affordable for you so that everyone has access to the assistance they need. There is also a free 15-minute individual session offered by Grief in Common for first-time clients taking advantage of the virtual grief coaching service.
Advantages
• A wide range of free features are available
• Provides both individual and group counseling
• Provides live chat with people experiencing similar types of losses
Disadvantages
• Certain features come at an additional cost
The Compassionate Friends, Helpful for the Loss of a Sibling or Child
As well as offering a wide range of private groups for additional peer support, this free support group provides a lot of resources for those who have lost a child or sibling. Live chats are available in a friendly environment, where users can develop friendships with people who understand what they are going through. Furthermore, you can join about 30 private, moderated Facebook groups to connect with other people going through the same loss. The only disadvantage is there is no opportunity to express your grief vocally in this group. However, it may be possible to attend events in person if you live in an area with a local chapter.
Advantages
• There are more than 30 private Facebook groups available
• Some areas offer in-person events
• Free to use
Disadvantages
• Virtual meetings are not attainable at this time
• Coaching is not available on a one-on-one or group basis.
Soaring Spirits International Widowed Village, Best for the Loss of a Spouse
For those grieving the loss of a spouse, this free support group offers a variety of resources. Additionally, you can meet peers in-person through the pen pal program and participate in in-person events. The website connects you with widowers of the same age, location, and date of widowhood as you.
Free membership provides access to resources such as the Newly Widowed Virtual program, guest speakers, educational videos, weekly Zoom gatherings, talk groups, and other resources. In keeping with most support groups, the goal of this program is to complement therapy and therapeutic assistance from trained professionals. The information is intended only for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Advantages
• Has several resources to choose from
• You can receive support from regional groups, in-person events, and pen pals
• Free to join
Disadvantages
• Has no support from mental health experts
For help with depression, you should see a doctor. These grief support groups are not a replacement for that. When it comes to depression, receiving a diagnosis and seeking treatment from a doctor or therapist is critical and can save a person’s life. However, talking about your sorrow with others who are going through similar experiences can help you get on the road to recovery. Here are some of them:
1. Live Chat: GriefinCommon
2. For young people: HopeAgain
3. The best from Social Media Group: GriefAnonymous
4. The Best for Specific Grief: OnlineGriefSupport
5. For Email support: GriefNet
6. For the monitored discussion group: GriefHealing
7. Best Overall: http://grieving.com/
Although grief affects people differently, connecting with others to share stories experiences and receiving support can help with the grieving procedure.
Online support groups can deliver a safe, supportive room to learn skills and find community. These groups are not a substitute for professional care for depression, which may share similar symptoms of grief. However, speaking through grief with those going through similar situations can help you get on the path toward healing. The membership fee for all the groups below is free.
The best Overall support group is http://grieving.com/. Live-chat participation is roughly $10 per year. It’s one of the first and most extensive online support groups and has various forums so participants can connect and share experiences. The best live chat is Grief in Common. Live-chat participation is about $10 per year; members can have private live conversations with others.
The best for Young People is Hope Again. Video resources and one-on-one counseling are available. This isn’t a live grief group rather a way for young people to read others’ stories and share their own.
The best social media group is Grief Anonymous. It facilitates 24/7 online support that caters to members for all types of grief and supports diverse kinds of loss. Leaving private messages is also possible. It allows you easily connect with others who have experienced specific types of grief through online forums and presents a variety of online platforms. Users can interact in the public discussion group or join communities for those having undergone specific kinds of suffering, like the loss of a spouse, someone to cancer, a parent, or sudden loss.
Processing the loss of a loved one can be more than just a challenging task, especially for seniors who live alone. Psychologists recommend seniors consult with and even go to therapy sessions with a professional when experiencing the loss of a close friend or family member.
There are not many safe communities online that a senior can rely on and vent to when they need to express their loss and collect their thoughts. However, you can ask a professional to introduce you to an online forum that can act as a safe place to express your emotions. If you undoubtedly need to vent, you can find comfort in Reddit’s “off my chest” subreddit.