It's been several months since your loved one died. You thought you would be feeling better by now, but you are still not sleeping well, your appetite has not returned to normal and the thought of going back to work is so overwhelming that you feel sick. You feel isolated and alone...what do you do now?

LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS

All groups listed on this page are subject to change without notice. Please call the phone number listed within each entry to get up-to-date information.

 General Grief and Loss Support Groups

The Hospice of Dayton Pathways to Hope    www.hospiceofdayton.org/support/adult 

Pathways of Hope is the grief support service provided by The Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties and The Hospice of Dayton to anyone who has lost a loved one. Professionally licensed counselors or social workers lead Pathways of Hope grief support groups. Pre-registration is not required.             Call 937-258-4991

Crossroads Hospice                                          www.crossroadshospice.com

Grief Recovery Program®, developed by the Grief Recovery Institute, and facilitated by a trained and certified bereavement professional. It also provides a guide to understanding your “after” journey.          Call 937-312-3170

Stepping Stones Ranch                                      www.steppingstonesranch.org

Stepping Stones Ranch is a 130-acre tranquil farm that is open to people of all ages offering hope and healing as they interact with horses. We offer a unique experience using the horses as facilitators to foster new insights and metaphors that apply to everyday. Call 513-335-7423 

Heartland Hospice                                              www.hcr-manorcare.com

Vigil Volunteer Program

Heartland’s Vigil Volunteer Program is designed to provide a caring, and compassionate presence to hospice patients who are struggling. As a patient begins to move closer to death, the fear of pain and dying increases. The Heartland Hospice Care team and Vigil Volunteers comfort those fears and provide quality end-of-life support during the final stages of life. Call Sandy Naas, Volunteer Coordinator, 937.299.6980

**Some hospitals and churches in the area also offer support groups. Please call them to see if they are currently offering a group that would be beneficial to you.

 Widowed/Widower's

Young Widow's Support Group
Offers support to younger women who have suffered the death of their spouse. Group meets on the 1rst Thursday of every month at 7PM at Normandy United Methodist Church, 450 W. Alex-Bell Rd., Centerville. Call Pam Walker at (h) 434-7981 or (c)672-8810 for more information.

Separated, Divorced, and Widowed Catholic Support Group
These groups deal with the grief associated with the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation. They meet at:

• St. Rita's Catholic Church, 5401 N. Main St, Dayton on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month in Lampee Hall from 7-9PM. Call Frank at 256-0527 for more information.

 Support Groups for Children

Oak Tree Corner                                                www.oaktreecorner.org

The Oak Tree Corner provides a safe and caring community where children and teens from the greater Dayton area can learn to deal with the grief from the death of someone important. They can communicate with their peers about the experience and can develop inner strength for healthy living through guidance and support.        Call: 937-285-0199

The Hospice of Dayton Pathways to Hope    www.hospiceofdayton.org/support/child

Children do not show the signs of grief in the same ways as adults. The Hospice of Dayton and The Hospice of Butler & Warren Counties offer individual counseling to help children with their grief and can provide emergency and group counseling for schools and organizations following a loss.           Call 937-258-4991

 Loss of a Child

Children's Medical Center                             www.childrensdayton.org

Please visit the Children's Medical Center website for the most current listing of all the support groups they offer.

Compassionate Friends                                www.miamivalleytcf.com

The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families in the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child or sibling of ANY age and to provide information to help others be supportive. Call 937-640-2621 or email at miamivalleytcf@yahoo.com

 Homicide Death

Victim/Witness Division - Montgomery County   www.mcohio.org/Prosecutor/docs/Survivor.pdf

This group provides support for adults who have experienced a death through homicide. Meetings are held for adults only on the 2nd Monday at 6PM at the Victim Witness Division, 41 N. Perry St, downtown Dayton. Please call 225-5623 for further information.

 Suicide Death

Survivors of Suicide (SOS) - Suicide Prevention Center  www.suicidepreventioncenter.tk 
This group offers support for people who have lost a loved one through suicide. Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month at 7:00PM at the Miami Valley Hospital Center for Health Education, Room 4800, 1 Wyoming St., Dayton. Please call the Suicide Prevention Center office at 226-0818 for further information.

Other Passages
for those 18 and older experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors as well as the family and friends who are learning to cope with a suicidal individual. Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of every month, 7:30-9:30PM. at the Miami Valley Hospital Center for Health Education, Room 4800, 1 Wyoming St., Dayton. Please call the Suicide Prevention Center office at 226-0818 for further information.

Other Passages for Adolescents
This group offers support for adolescents, ages 13-17, experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Adolescent must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month at 7:00PM at the Miami Valley Hospital Center for Health Education, Room 4800, 1 Wyoming St., Dayton. Please call the Suicide Prevention Center office at 226-0818 for further information.

 PET LOSS

Miami Valley Animal Hospital                                www.mvahinc.com

Call Rebecca Watts at 434-8387 for dates and times of groups.

Angel's Paws                                                                    www.angelspaws.com

Angel's paws offers an array of aftercare including a variety support groups (ranging from the traditional to the creative arts) and a children's bereavement center. But, there are times when individual counseling or coaching might be more beneficial. Our counselors and coaches are uniquely qualified to assist pet owners through the grieving process. Call 513-489-7297 or email tammy@angelspaws.com

The Suicide Prevention Center runs a pet loss hotline for people who feel that telephone support would be helpful. Please call 463-2961 if you'd like to talk to a person who cares.