Support Groups

August 10, 2008 12:39 am

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Grief

Beacon Hospice Inc. offers the following support groups, which are free and open to the public:

r Bereavement support group meets every fourth Tuesday at Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Call Lucille Bonanno at 978-372-4211 or e-mail lbonanno@beaconhospice.com.

r Elder losses support/discussion group meetings every Friday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the North Andover Council on Aging, 120R Main St., North Andover. Call Lucille Bonanno at 978-372-4211 or e-mail lbonanno@beaconhospice.com.

Camp Stepping Stones is offered by the Center for Grief and Healing and provides support for children and families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. For information about CGH Children's Program, visit www.griefandhealing.org.

Widows and widowers education and support program meets Wednesdays at Haverhill Crossings, 254 Amesbury Road in Haverhill from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Sponsored by Farmer & Sons Bethany Bereavement and Resource Center. For more information, call Nancy Thornton at 978-374-9257.

GriefShare, a nondenominational support group meets Saturdays at West Congregational Church, 767 Broadway in Haverhill from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call Jim Garand at 603-898-8278 or Lori Nutter at 978-374-7248.

Adult bereavement support group meets the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Allegiance Hospice, 67 Middle St. in Lowell. Free; all welcome. Call Abhaya Sandy Kopka at 877-255-4623.

Young widow or widower bereavement support through Merrimack Valley Hospice meets Thursdays 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. Free; all welcome. 978-552-4572.

Safe Place suicide survivor support group meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Michael Parish, 196 Main St., North Andover. Free, nondenominational and confidential for those who have lost a loved one through suicide. Safe Place is facilitated by a survivor. Call Debbie at 978-688-0030. The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley provides two free and confidential suicide crisis lines for those who are lonely, despairing or suicidal. Call 866-912-4673 or 978-688-6607.

Adult grief support group meets on the third Thursday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Dracut Council on Aging, 951 Mammoth Road, Dracut. The group is for anyone struggling with life changes and are living alone for the first time. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lucille Bonanno at 978-372-4211 or by e-mail at lbonanno@beaconhospice.com.

"Coping With a Loved One's Suicide" meets every Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Hampstead Public Library, 6 Mary E. Clark Drive, Hampstead, N.H. Free and confidential for those who have lost a loved one through suicide. For more information, call Dan Wells at 603-329-5276 or visit www.nhcopingwithsuicide.com.

Bereavement workshops are offered on the second Monday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Merrimack Valley Hospital, 140 Lincoln Ave., Haverhill. For more information or to register, call 978-552-4537.

Bereavement support group meets every Thursday evening in the Cafeteria Conference Room at Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen. Offers support for spouses under the age of 65 who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. For more information, call Louis LaBella at 978-552-4522.

Grief Share, a 13-week Christ-centered support group for those who have experienced loss, will meet weekly through September, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Parish House of Free Christian Church, 28 Elm St., Andover. Call Joanne at 978-372-0816 to learn more.

Parents

Support group forming for noncustodial divorced mothers who are now dealing with this issue with their teenage and 20-something children. For locations and information, call Beverly at 978-345-5220.

Professional Parent Advocacy League facilitates a support group in Haverhill for individuals who are parenting a child with an emotional or behavioral special need. Meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Haverhill Family Network, 21 Wingate St. from 6 to 8 p.m. Child care is not available. To register or for information, call Nancy Collier at 978-388-7032, ext. 308, or e-mail nacollier@comcast.net. PAL is the Massachusetts state chapter of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health. Support groups are free.

Parents Helping Parents offers a free, confidential and anonymous support group in Haverhill every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Share experiences and receive support and encouragement from other parents. Call 1-800-882-1250 for location or visit www.parentshelpingparents.org.

Support for Young Parents is offered Wednesdays, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Amesbury Health Center, 24 Morrill Place, Amesbury. Offers education and support free of charge to young parents with children, infants to age 5. Children welcome. For information, call Dawn Parkin, family health care advocate at 978-372-1285, ext. 6142 or 1-888-663-3688, ext. 6142.

Grandparents as Parents group meets first and last Wednesday of each month at Catholic Charities, Heritage Place, 430 South Union St. in Lawrence, and at other times and locations in Merrimack Valley. To register, call Rachelle Comtois at 978-459-3242.

Parenting A Difficult Child support group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Haverhill Family Network, First Presbyterian Church, 346 Broadway, Haverhill. Offers support to parents of children with emotional, behavioral or mental health special needs. To register, call 978-388-7032.

Parent support group meets Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Upper Room on Tsienneto Road in Derry, N.H., to discuss the challenges of raising substance-free teens. Opportunity for parents to exchange ideas and receive information. Led by Debbie Thomas, a Londonderry Middle School guidance counselor.

Parents Without Partners informational meetings throughout Southern New Hampshire each month. Opportunity for single parents to learn about international, nonprofit, volunteer support group for custodial and noncustodial single parents. Local chapter sponsors educational programs, recreational activities and social activities for families and adults. For times and locations, call 603-669-4275.

Chester Mothers Club offers an opportunity to meet other area moms and participate in activities with your child. Daytime events include park days, playgroups, holiday parties, craft projects, outings to zoos, museums, movies and more. Call Rachel MacMillan at 603-553-5473.

The Mothers' Club in Sandown, N.H., is a nonprofit organization for mothers of young children with a strong interest in community fundraising. Offers play groups, outings with children and Moms Night Out. New members always welcome. Call Renee at 603-887-5026.

Stepmothers support group meets the first Monday of each month at the Salem Boys & Girls Club in Salem, N.H. at 6 p.m. New members welcome. All meetings are confidential. Visit www.salemstepmothers.org.

Grandparents as Parents support group meets third Friday of each month at Greater Salem Caregivers, 287 Lawrence Road, Salem, N.H., at 9:30 a.m. Opportunity for grandparents raising their grandchildren to meet, share experiences and learn from one another. Call Cindy Jury at 603-893-5493.

SHARE — A parental loss support group meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the chapel, Cremin Suite of the Caritas Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen. This free support group is offered to parents who have lost a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. Any and all parents are welcome. The group aims to provide comfort and mutual support. Additional information available. Call 978-687-0156, ext. 2240, prior to attending a meeting.

The Circle of Hope is a support group for parents of addicts. The group meets every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Psychological Center in Lawrence. For a detailed description of what the group does or for those who are uncomfortable or embarrassed about attending a group session, call Phil Lahey at 978-557-9235.

Etc.

Military family support group meets 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed St., Haverhill. Group provides speakers and information about stress management, separation anxiety, financial planning and assistance, deployment assistance, welcome home preparation, veteran benefits and health care programs and recognizing the signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome. For information, call 978-372-3626 or e-mail vetreach@northeastveterans.org.

Hope's Children group for adult children of substance abuse meets every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Psychological Center in Lawrence. E-mail hopeschildren@hotmail.com.

Separated and Divorced nondenominational support group meets every Monday 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Center for Education and Ministry of St. Augustine's Parish second floor, 35 Essex St., Andover. All welcome. Call John Matera at 978-852-7827 or e-mail j.matera@comcast.net or call the Parish Office at 978-475-0050 and ask for the ministries coordinator.

Divorced, Separated, Widowed nondenominational support group meets every Monday, 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Church Hall, Lawrence Road, Salem, N.H. Nondenominational. For information, call Jim at 603-893-2382 or Valerie at 978-689-3677.

Overeaters Anonymous is a 12-step program of recovery from compulsive eating. There are no dues or fees for membership, only a "desire to stop eating compulsively." For information and the location of a meeting near you, call 978-407-9909 or 781-641-2303. In southern New Hampshire, call 603-434-7578. www.oa.org.

A separated/divorced support group meets the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Lynnfield Community Church/United Church of Christ, 735 Salem St., Lynnfield. A $3 weekly donation is suggested. New members are welcome. For more information, call David at 781-224-0405, e-mail Gayle at magick@webtv.net or Donna at luckydee@comcast.net, or visit www.divorcedsupportgroup.com.

Child Safety is a therapeutic educational program for children who have been affected by their exposure to domestic violence in the home. This support group is free. For more information or to register, call Michele at 978-989-9361.

Divorce Recovery is a support group for those who are going through, or have been through, a divorce. Weekly meetings will be held on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m., through Aug. 21, at River of Life Church, 26 Parkridge Road, Ward Hill Industrial Park, Haverhill. Videos and materials from DivorceCare, a nationwide Christian ministry, will be used. There will be instructional times, but also a time for group discussion and individual support. There is a $15 fee for learning materials. Child care is available. Call 1-800-556-8207 for more details.

Smoking cessation support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Donovan Conference Room at Lowell General Hospital, 295 Varnum Ave., Lowell. A trained American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Facilitator will be available at each session. The support group is free. For more information, call Michelle Davis at 978-937-6038.

Women Seeking Serenity, through the 12 steps, meets on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. David's Church (lower level), 231 Main St., Salem, N.H. For more information, call Sue at 603-893-5101 or visit www.womenseekingserenity.org.

Illness

Newburyport Asperger Syndrome Support Group meeting, Monday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Higgins Conference Room of Anna Jaques Hospital. A general discussion is planned. This support group addresses the concerns of parents of school-aged children diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, high-functioning autism, or related challenges. For information, contact Carol Keating at 978-372-2799, carolkeating@verizon.net or Suzanne Phillips at 978-356-1775, suzanne.phillips@gordon.edu.

ALS support group reaches out to support individuals and families coping with the diagnosis of ALS. Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the boardroom of Caritas Holy Family Hospital, Methuen. For more information, visit www.als-ma.org or call 1-888-287-3257.

Alzheimer/dementia support group meets second Tuesday every month from 4 to 5 p.m. at Sutton Hill Rehabilitation Center, 1801 Turnpike St., North Andover. For information, call Lucille Bonanno at 978-372-4211 or e-mail lbonanno@beaconhospice.com.

Living with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis support group meets second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Parkland Medical Center, Nutfield Professional Building, Entrance A, Suite 203, Derry, N.H. There is no charge to attend. For more information, call Stacey Snyder at 1-800-314-3459, ext. 13.

Scleroderma support group meets the last Saturday of every month at the Hampstead Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon. Anyone interested in learning more about scleroderma and pulmonary hypertension is welcome. For more information, call Pat Gelinas at 329-8382 or the Scleroderma Foundation's New England Chapter office at 1-888-525-0658.

Crohn's and colitis support group meets third Wednesday of each month, 7 to 9 p.m., at Caritas Holy Family Hospital, first-floor boardroom, 70 East St., Methuen. Free. Call Stacey Snyder at 1-800-314-3459, ext. 13, or visit www.ccfa.org.

The Upbeat Connection, a support group for people suffering with multiple sclerosis, meets every third Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the Atkinson Community Center, Route 121, Atkinson, N.H. Call Helen Beauregard at 603-382-1222.

ThyCa Merrimack, for survivors of thyroid cancer, meets every second Saturday in the third-floor conference room at the Family Health Center, 34 Haverhill St., Lawrence from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Anxiety and panic sufferers meet Mondays from noon to 1 p.m. and Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in North Andover. Participants will learn how to control panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety. For information, call Panic Relief Inc. at 732-940-9658.

Self-injury Anonymous meetings, hosted by Caritas Holy Family Hospital in Methuen, are held Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m. Self-injury Anonymous is a gathering of men and women who share their experience with self-injury to offer hope and healing.

A Circle of Hope, a free support group for families of substance abusers, meets Wednesdays from 7 to 8:45 p.m. at the Psychological Center, 11 Union St., Lawrence.

Cardiac rehab support group meets at Parkland Medical Center in Derry, N.H., the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free; registration is required. Call 603-432-1500, ext. 3076.

Bipolar disorder support group addresses needs of those suffering from bipolar disorder and their loved ones meets monthly at 213 Stage Road, Unit 9, Hampstead, N.H. All meetings safe and confidential. Call Ron at 603-560-3682.

Londonderry diabetes support group meets the third Friday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m. at Londonderry Grange Hall. Call 800-540-2981.

Overcomers, a Christian program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, meets at New Creation Healing Center in Plaistow on Thursdays, 7 p.m. Program helps those struggling with alcoholism as well as addictions to food, gambling, spending, drugs or work, and other compulsive behaviors. Call Judy Howell at 978-257-0382.

Salem multiple sclerosis support group meets the third Thursday of every month at Northeast Rehab Center in Salem, N.H. Call Mary Larcome at 603-362-5197.

Nashua-Windham CHADD holds monthly meetings at Windham Presbyterian Church on Route 111. CHADD is a nationwide network of support groups for adults and children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month. Call 603-880-4997.

Schizophrenics Anonymous support group meets Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Holy Family Hospital in Room 1 of the subground level, Methuen. Contact Patty Blankenship in the Behavioral Health Department.

Caregiver

Alzheimer's caregiver support group meets second Thursday of each month, 4 to 6 p.m. at Prescott House in North Andover. For information, call Marie Sherman, LCSW, at 978-685-8086, ext. 551.

Caregiver support group will meet third Thursday each month from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Dracut Council on Aging, 951 Mammouth Road, Dracut. For information call Lucille Bonanno at 978-372-4211 or e-mail lbonanno@beaconhospice.com.

Alzheimer and dementia family support group meets at Marguerite's House Assisted Living, 189 Maple St., Lawrence, every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For information, call Kathy or Debbie at 978-620-1492.

Caregiver support group meets second and fourth Wednesday in the Merrimack Valley Hospital atrium from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and on the third Tuesday of every month from 2 to 3 p.m. Provides support for people who are caring for an aging or chronically ill loved one. Offered in collaboration with the Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley. For information, call Janice Hrenko at 1-800-892-0890.

Caregiver support group meets at Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital, 76 Summer St., Haverhill, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Information, 800-892-0890, ext. 321, or 978-725-5995.

Nutfield caregiver support group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Londonderry Senior Center, 535 Mammoth Road, from 4 to 5 p.m. Call Stacy Thrall at 603-425-1770.

Caregiver support at Salem Ingram Senior Center in Salem, N.H., first Wednesday of each month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Volunteers available to offer a nonmedical, watchful eye over the care-receiver during meetings. Sponsored by the Senior Center, Life Coping, Rockingham County ServiceLink and Silverthorne Adult Day Center.

Alzheimer's support group meets second Tuesday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Nevins Alzheimer's Family Care Center, 12 Ingalls Court, Methuen. Free respite provided. For information, call Julie Blanchard at 978-682-3582.

Caregivers of the Mentally Ill, a free support group sponsored by the National Association of the Mentally Ill, is for caregivers, friends and family of people suffering from severe mental illnesses. For more information or to register, contact Karen at 978-725-2537 or by e-mail at emma1@comcast.net.

Cancer

WE CARE cancer support group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Merrimack Valley Hospital atrium from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Offers support for cancer patients, their family and friends. For information, call Kim Snow at 978-521-8556.

Breast cancer support is offered the last Wednesday of the month at the Amesbury Health Center in the women's conference room at 7 p.m. Free and open to all. For information, call Raelene at 978-388-9655.

Parkland Medical Center hosts support group for women coping with all types of cancer. Free meetings held every third Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in Suite 102 of the Nutfield Professional Building, 44 Birch St., Derry. For information or to register, call Barbara Umansky at 603-421-2347.

Cancer support meetings at Granite State Baptist Church, 1 Sand Hill Road, Salem, N.H., on the first and third Monday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Open to anyone who has experienced cancer, to cancer family members and to caregivers. For information, call Ron or Carol Demers at 603-893-4065, ext. 80, or e-mail cancersupport@comcast.net.

Sheila Brodie-Zetlan support group is offered every Monday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the chapel, Cremin Suite, of the Caritas Holy Family Hospital, 70 East St., Methuen. Free. This group welcomes women dealing with breast cancer. Schedule is subject to change. Call Joanne Voigt at 978-687-0156, ext. 4179, prior to attending a meeting.

Angela Pisick cancer support group meets on the first and third Wednesday of every month, 6 to 7 p.m., in the main lobby of the Caritas Holy Family Cancer Management Center, 70 East St., Methuen. Free. Call 978-687-0156, ext. 2021, prior to attending a meeting.

To list a support group, e-mail information to Betsy Curry at bcurry@eagletribune.com; fax it to 978-687-6045; or mail it to The Eagle-Tribune, c/o Betsy Curry, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845.