Drumheller will soon have a bereavement support group to help individuals deal with the loss of a loved one, and organizers are welcoming people to contact them if they think they may need support.

The participant-directed support group will begin meeting in January to give people in Drumheller and the surrounding community a way to see they are not alone, that death affects us all, and there are ways to integrate that loss into their lives in order to carry on as best they can. Volunteer Karen Crawford, a semi-retired social worker with a background in abuse counseling and children’s mental health, says a portion of people dealing with loss “get stuck at the grief stage” of bereavement and struggle with how to deal with their loss.

“They talk to their physician or their friends but they can’t get enough help that way. The bad side of that is sometimes they turn to negative help, or addiction or acting-out like behavior, depression, and we’re stuck with various other ways of coping with this as a society,” she says.

She says most people eventually reach a new ‘normal’ after the death of their loved one, but the process takes time and is often complicated and non-linear.

“Sometimes the process is complicated, prolonged, and painful and sometimes people don’t have proper support to cope with it.”

The group will be driven by its members and guided by Crawford and Nick Samuels, a retired nurse with an acute care and seniors’ mental health background.

“The group is helpful, it's about getting together so people know they aren’t alone or going crazy. They can share different coping or whats that help together without a lot of our help,” she says.

Those potentially interested in participating in the group should call either Crawford (403-823-8584) or Samuel (403-823-2652) for an evaluation. The first session is planned for January 2.