Pike County Health Department, Home Health & Hospice offers many support groups that are free and open to the public.
Most support groups meet in our Community Conference Room (side entrance) unless otherwise noted.
Why join a support group?
Support groups are organizations of people who share a common disorder, like depression or anxiety, and who meet together to discuss their experiences, share ideas, and provide emotional support for one another. Usually a support group is led by a member who has had some training in facilitating group discussions. Unlike formal group therapy, self-help support groups are usually not led by a professional therapist (such as a social worker, psychologist, nurse, or psychiatrist) but nevertheless can be a helpful coping tool to complement formal treatment. For some types of problems, such as bereavement after the death of a loved one, or coping with a chronic medical condition like cancer, hospitals or community agencies often provide support groups led by a social worker or other counselor.
Benefits of Support Groups
Probably the biggest advantage of support groups is helping a patient realize that he or she is not alone — that there are other people who have the same problems. This is often a revelation and a huge relief to the person. Being in a support group can also help you develop new skills to relate to others. In addition, the members of the group who have the same problems can support each other and may suggest new ways of dealing with a particular problem.
When joining a support group, you may be uncomfortable at first when it comes time to discuss problems in front of strangers. However, the fact that others are facing the same type of situation may help you open up and discuss your feelings. In addition, everything that takes place within the support group should be kept confidential.
What to Expect in a Support Group
Support groups vary, but the basic format is a small group of people (maybe no more than 10) meet on a regular basis to discuss their experiences and provide mutual support. Unlike formal group therapy, the meeting is often led by a lay person or group member with some training in facilitating group discussions. The group leader may act as a moderator.
Am I a Candidate for a Support Group?
Support groups can help anyone who is in need of emotional support for a particular problem like anxiety, addiction, or depression, especially for people who may feel isolated or feel that other people in their lives don’t fully understand the kinds of problems they may be struggling with. Support groups are not a substitute for individual or group therapy or professional counseling.
The makeup of the support group varies; usually a support group is made up of people who have a similar condition or problem (like depression or anxiety) but in some cases, the group consists of people who have different specific disorders (like a variety of mental health or medical conditions) but share a common goal of seeking emotional support.
Unlike formal group therapy, self-help or support groups are not medical treatment and therefore not covered by medical insurance. However, they are usually free or may have a nominal fee and are typically supported by hospitals, religious institutions, or non-profit agencies.
- Source: WebMD
Journey of Grief: Bereavement Support Group
This support group is via a private facebook group by searching “Journey of Grief” and is administrated by our Hospice Social Worker. Posts can only be seen by approved members but is open to the public.
We aim to assist people, without charge, in learning to live with this “new normal” by:
- Providing a safe space in which to explore grief in whatever ways that works best for the person.
- Reducing the isolation of bereaved people by facilitating connections with other bereaved people.
- Normalizing the grief experience.
- Nurturing the resiliency of people to identify their own inner resources and coping strategies.
We strive to assure our bereaved compassion, mutual support, understanding, diversity, integrity and allow our families to feel safe and supported in a nurturing environment.
Request to join the group here.
Breastfeeding Support Group
The Breastfeeding Support Group meets on the first Monday of each month at 1:00 p.m in our Community Conference Room (side entrance).
The goal of this free support group is to help mothers breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. Children and family support are also welcome to attend.
Advice from other moms should never replace the advice from medical experts. If you have questions or concerns about your health or your baby’s well-being you should always contact your physician or a lactation consultant.
You can also follow Leah right here on facebook!
Leah Diffey, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Diabetes Support Group
This group meets on the 4th Monday of each month, at 2:00 p.m. in our Community Conference Room (side entrance)
It also meets the 1st Wednesday of each month, at 5:00 p.m. at the Pike County Memorial Hospital Cafeteria.
Join us, bring a friend or family member, everyone is welcome to attend! We offer free educational support, and we have speakers who are experts on diabetes.
Did you know that nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States live with diabetes? An additional 79 million Americans are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance, obesity, and other conditions that predispose to diabetes are becoming more common in our society. But healthful lifestyles, knowledgeable treatment, vigilant ongoing care, and follow-up can help reverse risk factors and early signs of diabetes. Diabetes can affect everyone, if left untreated, it is deadly. Find out more at www.diabetes.org
Locations and dates are subject to change, contact us and learn how you can stay up to date!
Download the Diabetes Management Flyer
Kim Gamm, RN BSN CDE, Public Health Coordinator
Mental Health Awareness Support Group
This group is to encourage positive mental health awareness. It is open to individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship issues, substance issues, grief issues, difficulties managing/coping with stressors, etc.
This support group is open to all individuals who are interested in bringing awareness to their own mental health, searching to find support and encouragement while gaining this awareness, and to those that are willing to support us in this journey. Please call our office to find out when the next meeting will be held.
Other Public Health Services:
IMMUNIZATIONS & VACCINATION CLINICS