Grief is one of those things that touches everyone regardless of age, income, or whether you live in a rural or urban area. Grief can be sneaky and there’s no one way to navigate through it. Everyone’s grief journey looks different; in observance of National Grief Awareness Day (8/30) we’ll explore the different grief resources available in Washtenaw County.
Stages of Grief
While grief isn’t linear and no two people grieve in exactly the same way, Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross is attributed with creating five commonly defined stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. These stages help put into words some of the intense emotions people feel after a death of a loved one.
- Denial
- Refusing to accept that your loved one is gone.
- Period of denial.
- Refusing to talk about the death.
- Anger
- May be directed at the deceased, family, doctors, themselves, or a higher power.
- May lose patience easily or have a short temper.
- May blame others for the death.
- Bargaining
- Way of dealing with feelings of hopelessness/powerlessness.
- What if” and “If only” statements.
- May attempt to make a deal with a higher power.
- Depression
- Feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
- Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy.
- May isolate self from others.
- Acceptance
- Come to terms with the reality that our loved one is no longer with us.
- May shift focus to celebrating the life of our loved one.
Crisis Mental Health Support
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (Dial 988)
- Washtenaw County Community Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Support– (734) 544-3050
Mental Health Counseling
- Arbor Hospice Journey Through Grief (888) 992-2273
- CSSW Behavioral Health (734) 926-0155
- Offer Medicaid. Sliding scale payment available.
- Hope Clinic Behavioral Health (734) 484-2989
- No insurance needed.
- Packard Health (734) 971-1073
- No insurance needed.
- Thrive Counseling (734) 436-4249 or [email protected].
- Grief therapists in Washtenaw County via Psychology Today
Support Groups
- Alzheimer’s Association Grief After Loss Group (days/times vary by group. View website for details).
- Arbor Hospice Grief After Dementia Group (virtual)
- Arbor Hospice Hope After Loss Group (virtual)
- Arbor Hospice Living On Group
- Arbor Hospice Men Overcoming Loss Group (virtual and in-person options)
- GriefShare– Offers online and in-person grief support groups. Days/times vary by group. Visit the website to find a group near you.
- New Hope Center for Grief Support– Offers a variety of support groups. Days/times vary by group. Visit the website for more information.
- Stark Funeral Professionals– Monthly grief support group held at 5pm on the 1st Monday of the month. Call (734) 482-4900 for more information.
Other Resources
- Grievewell– offers one-on-one peer support, workshops, and resources.
- Trinity Health at Home– offers individual counseling, support groups, and social gatherings.
Loss of a Pet
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement Online Support Group- Meets online the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 7:00-9:00 pm (Eastern Time). Registration closes at noon Eastern the day before each support group meeting.
- Humane Society of Huron Valley Humane Euthanasia (can be done in the office or in your home) (734) 662-4365.
- Humane Society of Huron Valley Pet Loss Support Group (734) 661-3575 or email [email protected]
- Drop ins welcome. Meets monthly on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Open to all, regardless of whether you adopted your pet from HSHV. Available in-person and via Zoom.
- Veterinary Chaplaincy Services Pet Bereavement Group (833) 483-8247 or email [email protected].
- Support groups meet online every Tuesday night from 7-8:15pm. Please fill out the form on the website to receive an invite.
