Crisis Response Activities

http://208.206.15.235/uploads/pdf/SchoolGrief_Flyer_8%2031%2007.pdf

In the 2007-2008 school year, The Bereavement Center made forty death related-crisis response calls, the majority of which occured in schools. With our large staff of trained grief counselors, hospice bereavement specialists and expressive therapists, we are able to respond to crisis quickly. We have crisis response kits at all of our offices so that staff can quickly access needed materials and move into the schools. Our crisis responders often work in collaboration with the other mental health agencies present. The difference in our service is that we continue to provide intervention to the schools in the days and weeks following the crisis. While it is important to return to school routines, that can be difficult. There are times when a grief reaction or a trauma reaction is triggered that requires attention. We are able to return to the school and offer interventions to the class or to the deceased's inner circle of friends. Our eight week support group S.T.A.R.S (Supporting Tears, Anger, Remembrance and Sadness) is also available. In addition, we work with the teachers and school staff as their grief is often overlooked. Crises in the school cause an upheaval of emotions and routine. We are able to respond with comfort and support.

Peaceful and Proud - personalized care for veterans

Hospice of the Western Reserve's Peaceful and Proud initiative is about honoring patients who are veterans. The Peaceful and Proud committee recently brought in Deborah Grassman, ARNP, MSN, Hospice Program Coordinator at the Bay Pines VA in St. Peterburg, Florida and Dr. James Banks, Professor Emeritus at Cuyahoga Community College and founder/director of the Crile Archives for a free educational program. Ms. Grassman spoke on Wounded Warriors: Their Last Battle and described the emotional, social, spiritual and moral injuries sustained by veterans on how these impact end-of-life care. Dr. Banks talked about the unique historical dimensions of WWII, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. This education is helping staff meet the diverse needs of veterans—whether that be post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, remorse/regret, or the need to tell their war stories. I found both lectures extremely helpful. I am now very cognizant of thanking veterans for serving our country, welcoming them home and apologizing as appropriate.

Healing Arts Workshop - Clay Vessels

Healing Arts Workshops provide grieving people with a creative outlet for their grief and are open to all grieving people. No art experience is necessary.

Clay is a wonderful material for expression: it can be pounded, flattened, rolled, opened and formed. We will use drape mold techniques to form simple bowls and vessels to hold our emotions and feelings.

The Elisabeth Severance Prentiss Bereavement Center
Two Thursday evenings, June 19 & 26, 2008, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Call Carol Dikovitsky at (216)486-6702.

Grief and The Military Experience

The death of a loved one is a difficult experience for anyone. While grief is a normal, natural and necessary response to a loss, veterans who have witnessed death up close may keep grief inside. The military “big boys don’t cry” attitude, coupled with the survival mode of war, can hamper the grieving process.

Family members mourning a deceased veteran often comment on their stoicism, saying it interfered with relationships. Some veterans never spoke of their military experiences. Whether you are a veteran mourning the death of a loved one or the loved one of a deceased veteran, here are some grief reminders.

Remember that grief is as individual as a fingerprint.
Remind yourself that grief is a process.
Find a friend or fellow veteran who can really listen.
Attend a support group.
Expect to have setbacks.
Don’t measure your progress against the calendar – create your own calendar of grief.
Call a counselor if you have any concerns/questions about your feelings.
Hold on to hope as you transition through your grief.

The Bereavement Center of Hospice offers a variety of services to assist in the grief process, and is open to veterans and family members of veterans.

Together We Can Photos

Together We Can

Together We Can is a day camp for children 6-12 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Children meet other children who have experienced a death , share memories, and find new ways to express feelings through art, music, games and stories. There is also hiking, swimming, canoeing and doing other great activities. Camp will be held at the Red Oak Campground in Kirtland. Please contact The Bereavement Center to register.