Support and Bereavement Groups

Support and bereavement groups may play an important role in the emotional well-being of patients and their families as they are confronted with serious illness. Mayo Clinic encourages patients to seek support from credible groups that can provide patients with information, advice and understanding from peers and medical professionals. This Web site is designed to provide basic, objective information about support and bereavement groups.

Defining Support and Bereavement Groups

Support groups are for people with a disease or the ill person's relatives who want to share their concerns with others and learn how to address disease-specific problems. Bereavement groups allow those who have lost a loved one to share their struggles with others who have experienced a similar loss.

Most support groups are "peer" groups, made up of people who have the same or a similar disease. A lay person or health professional may lead the group and, often, the moderator is a disease survivor. Some groups meet in a hospital setting, within a community agency, at a person's home, over the telephone or in online chat rooms. Bereavement groups are also peer-oriented, with those participating having lost a loved one.

Support groups can be structured in various ways. Some are organized based on the specific disease, while others are designed according to what stage of disease a person has. Some offer a focus such as therapy, education or coping skills, while others feature a less structured environment where members provide direction. Bereavement groups may be organized based on the relative a person has lost — child, parent or spouse. Those participating have had the same experience.

When a Support Group Isn't Enough

Sometimes people suffering from a disease, their loved one or a person who has lost a family member or friend may require help beyond a support group. If a support group isn't providing the help you need, contact your health care professional to discuss your situation.