Mayo Clinic Support Groups in Arizona

What is grief?

Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion for people, regardless of whether their sadness stems from the loss of a loved one or from a terminal diagnosis they or someone they love have received.

They might find themselves feeling numb and removed from daily life, unable to carry on with regular duties while saddled with their sense of loss.

Grief is the natural reaction to loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of the loss. Some examples of loss include the death of a loved one, the ending of an important relationship, job loss, loss through theft or the loss of independence through disability.

Experts advise those grieving to realize they can't control the process and to prepare for varying stages of grief. Understanding why they're suffering can help, as can talking to others and trying to resolve issues that cause significant emotional pain, such as feeling guilty for a loved one's death.

Mourning can last for months or years. Generally, pain is tempered as time passes and as the bereaved adapts to life without a loved one, to the news of a terminal diagnosis or to the realization that someone they love may die.

If you're uncertain about whether your grieving process is normal, consult your health care professional. Outside help is sometimes beneficial to people trying to recover and adjust to a death or diagnosis of a terminal illness.

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 you to seek support from credible groups that can provide you with information, advice and understanding from peers and medical professionals. This website 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 their 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 layperson 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 also are 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.

Benefits of support groups

Some people who have participated in support and bereavement groups say the experience gave them an emotional connection when they felt isolated from friends and family. A group can provide and share information ranging from disease research and new medications to how a bereaved person can cope during the first year after a loved one's death. People involved say this exchange of information is one of the most valuable elements of participating in a support or bereavement group. Moreover, support and bereavement groups offer people the opportunity to release powerful emotions they may otherwise keep to themselves. Health care providers say support groups can improve a participant's mood and decrease psychological distress.

When a support group isn't enough

Sometimes people with 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 care provider to discuss your situation.

Mayo Clinic support groups in Arizona 

Support groups for many conditions are available at Mayo Clinic's campus in Arizona.  All times are Mountain Standard Time, unless otherwise noted.

Bariatric Surgery Support Group 

The Bariatric Surgery Support Group is a professionally led support group facilitated by bariatric psychologists on the Mayo Clinic Arizona bariatric surgery team. Groups include both open and guided discussions based on relevant, evidence-based topics.

These groups occur at 10 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month on telehealth.

The group is only for Mayo Clinic bariatric surgery pre-surgical candidates and post-surgical patients. Participants will receive more information about the support group and opportunity to register during their initial consultation appointment.

Mayo Clinic does not verify insurance coverage or authorization for mental or behavioral health appointments. We recommend you verify with your insurance provider before making an appointment.

For questions about the group, contact the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at 480-301-8297.

Desert Voices 

A support group for people who have had a laryngectomy meets noon to 1 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in a hybrid format (in-person and online) at Mayo Clinic Hospital on the Phoenix campus. Family, friends and those who may be faced with this surgery are welcome to attend. Abbey Skrove, CCC-SL, at 480-342-2983.

Oncology

Multiple Myeloma Support Group

The Multiple Myeloma Support Group meets online 1 to 2 p.m. the second Thursday of every month. Contact Kelly Gemmill, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Gemmill.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

Head and Neck Cancer

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Group meets 5 to 6 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in a hybrid format (in-person or online). Contact Katie Lespron, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Lespron.katherine@mayo.edu for more information.

Young Adult Cancer Support Group (ages 18-39)

The Young Adult Cancer Support Group alternates meeting online and in-person 6 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. Contact Melody Griffith, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Griffith.melody@mayo.edu for more information.

Pancreatic Cancer Support Group

The Pancreatic Cancer Support Group meets online from noon to 1:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month. Contact Raeane Veralrud, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Veralrud.raeane@mayo.edu for more information.

Sisters – Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group

The Sisters – Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group meets online at 11 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month. Contact Jacqui Hops, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Hops.Jacquelyn@mayo.edu for more information.

Transformation – Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group

The Transformation – Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group meets online at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Contact Jacqui Hops, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Hops.Jacquelyn@mayo.edu for more information.

Transplant

Transplant support group participants must be Mayo Clinic patient or family member or caregiver of a Mayo Clinic patient.

Heart Transplant Support Group

The Heart Transplant Support Group meets online 1 to 2 p.m. each Wednesday. Contact Abi Gomez, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Ramirez.abigail@mayo.edu for more information.

Liver Transplant Support Group

The Liver Transplant Support Group meets online at 12 p.m. every Thursday. Contact Jenna Rosenberg, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Rosenberg.jenna@mayo.edu for more information.

Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) Support Group

The Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD) Support Group meets online noon to 1 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month, MST and 3 to 4 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month. Contact Kelly Givner, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at givner.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

Lung Transplant Support Group

The Lung Transplant Support Group meets online 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday. Contact Bea-Paola Flores, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Flores.bea-paola@mayo.edu or Christine Molino, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Molino.christine@mayo.edu for more information.

Transplant Caregiver Support Group (caregivers only, no patients)

The Transplant Caregiver Support Group meets 11 a.m. to noon the first and third Fridays of every month. Contact Jenna Rosenberg, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Rosenberg.jenna@mayo.edu for more information.

Chronic diseases

Caregiver Support Group

The Caregiver Support Group meets online noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Contact Katie Lespron, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., at Lespron.katherine@mayo.edu for more information.

Wild Type ATTR Amyloidosis Support Group

The Wild Type ATTR Amyloidosis Support Group meets online 11 a.m. to noon the second Tuesday of each month. Contact Kelly Givner, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Givner.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

Hereditary Amyloidosis Support Group

The Hereditary Amyloidosis Support Group meets online 11 a.m. to noon the third Wednesday of each month. Contact Kelly Givner, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Givner.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

AL Amyloidosis Support Group

The AL Amyloidosis Support Group meets online 11 a.m. to noon the fourth Tuesday of each month. Contact Kelly Givner, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Givner.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group

The Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group meets online 11 a.m. to noon the first Thursday of every month. Contact Kelly Givner, M.S.W., L.M.S.W., at Givner.kelly@mayo.edu for more information.

Ostomy Support Group 

The Ostomy Support Group meets online at 4 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month. Contact Candy Boyes, C.W.O.C.N., at 480-574-7730 for more information.

Mayo Clinic Connect 

Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can share your experiences and find support from people like you. You can also read Mayo Clinic expert blogs and take part in educational events. Connect is managed by a team of community moderators, who keep the community safe and welcoming. They also support a volunteer group of patient mentors who share their stories, assist in connecting members and build community. 

Discover your support network on Connect today. 