Lost my child
My 19-year old child passed away unexpectedly of natural causes while at college. I'm looking for a support group to help me navigate the shock and grief I'm experiencing. I appreciate any thoughts for groups or therapists.
May 15, 2024
Parent Replies
I highly recommend circle of care in Oakland. They offer support groups and individual counseling. I was a trainee there about 20years ago and it was a place full of compassion. A very warm hug to you.
https://alamedakids.org/resource-directory/program_uploads/75_882_97460…
Hi,
Compassionate Friends has a parent-specifc groups and resources: https://www.compassionatefriends.org/grief/
I appreciate everything that David Kessler says, writes or hosts. In addition to being a grief expert, he also lost his child. He hosts virtual groups. His website is:
https://grief.com
There are no words to ease your pain but I hope you will feel the strength of this community behind you to support you on this journey.
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You might want to look at David Kessler's website and check out https://grief.com. Wishing you well and that you find the support you need as you experience your grief.
OMG I’m so so sorry. I’m glad you’re looking for support. What a tragedy.
I don’t know of a group but I’d try UCSF, Children’s Hospital, Stanford hospital.
Hello,
I'm so sorry for your loss and unimaginably difficult this must be. My one thought is that there could be different types of groups over time. And please don't feel bad if you need to multiple groups to see what fits or more support. Right now, it might be hard to imagine the effort to start even one. Starting simple could be easier, and going back to a list and knowing there are more resources as you process this may help. In this thinking, I'm sending more/broader resources vs. less. You are courageous to reach out and ask. Children's hospitals tend to have resources, which could help. I'm listing a few here with East Bay choices. My heart goes out to you.
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/bereavement-resources-and-services
https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/bereavement-program
There are some EAST BAY resources and NATIONAL organizations. First, the East Bay.
EAST BAY
East Bay bereavement services
The Compassionate Friends (Oakland, Stockton), (877) 969-0010
Offers peer-led grief support after the death of a child.
Contra Costa Crisis Center (Walnut Creek), (800) 837-1818
Offers individual counseling by trained volunteers in clients' homes or at Walnut Creek office. Also provides grief support program for adults, children and teens, as well as a 24-hour grief support hotline.
Crisis Support Services (Oakland), (800) 309-2131
Offers grief support for individuals, families and groups in Alameda County. Also provides general grief support, as well as support for survivors of homicide or suicide.
Family Service of the Tri-Cities (Fremont), (510) 574-2100
Offers counseling for youth and their families.
Hope Hospice (Dublin), (925) 829-8770
Offers individual counseling and grief support groups for adults, children and teens.
Jewish Family and Children's Services of the East Bay (Berkeley), (510) 704-7480, ext. 745
Offers a grief support group.
Pathways (Oakland), (888) 755-7855
Offers a grief support group and individual counseling.
Saint Rose Hospital (Hayward), (510) 264-4050
Offers a grief support group.
Sutter VNA and Hospice (Emeryville, Oakland, San Leandro), (510) 450-8596
Offers grief support groups, art therapy and remembrance services.
Circle of Care/East Bay Agency for Children (Oakland), (510) 531-7551
Offers support groups and individual counseling for children, teens and families.
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NATIONAL
National bereavement resources
The Dougy Center, (866) 775-5683
Provides grief support resources specifically for grieving children, teens and their families. Offers an excellent selection of relevant books, brochures and suggested activities, as well as connections to nationwide centers offering grief counseling and related services.
I am so sorry that you are going through such an unthinkable loss. This organization had been shared in the past https://www.compassionatefriends.org/. I hope you find the support that you need.
My son passed at 19 from an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2022 and the pain has been unbearable. I have found David Kessler very helpful as most parents there have lost a child to the disease of addiction.
https://sadod.org/ is a wonderful organization and again people who have lost a love one through death by overdose.
The new one I am trying is: https://www.helpingparentsheal.org/ which has local chapters and in person meetings. It is not specific to addiction. What has been hard to find are in person meetings but helping hands and another one referenced below, compassionate friends, both have in person grief support meetings once a month.
Be kind to yourself.