Mount Laurel, NJ – The past year has been unprecedented, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Health guidelines and safety protocols have impacted us greatly – limiting our interaction with others, restricting activities and completely transforming the way we live, work, socialize and even seek emotional support and guidance. In order to help the South Jersey community cope with the loss of a loved one to the coronavirus, Samaritan is unveiling a new virtual support group for 2021 – Coping With A COVID-19 Loss.
Coping With A COVID-19 Loss is a free, 6-week group designed to provide guidance and support to those who may have lost someone they love – a family member, spouse, close friend and others – due to the coronavirus pandemic. Each session runs for 90 minutes and offers supportive information about coping, communication and compassion for self and others, while reinforcing the importance of self-care and addressing the unique challenges the worldwide pandemic poses on those in need of grief support.
“The reality is that some individuals have been uniquely touched by or have directly experienced the loss of a loved one during the pandemic,” explains Kimberly Rumaker, MSS, LCSW, Manager of Social Work and Counseling Services at Samaritan. “This kind of loss can be extremely difficult to deal with under normal circumstances. But when you consider the fresh emotional trauma brought on by the pandemic, these individuals need a special kind of support. That is where we can step in – showing individuals that they never have to face their loss or grieve alone.”
The kick-off session in this 6-week virtual support group is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 6 p.m. Space is limited for this group – pre-registration is required by calling the Samaritan Center for Grief Support at (856) 596-8550 or e-mailing [email protected].
The Samaritan Center for Grief Support, a member of the Samaritan family of services, offers a number of free services for those seeking support, focusing on their own unique emotional needs during these unprecedented times. The Center’s team of dedicated professionals works tirelessly to explore new, creative ways of providing both one-on-one counseling and group support via telephone and other virtual platforms.