Mindfulness meditation for seniors
TURNERS FALLS – Mindfulness Meditation for Seniors is a 6-week class that is sponsored by the Gill-Montague Senior Center and the Amherst Senior Center. The class is specifically designed for seniors and will offer gentle stretches (done on or next to a chair), deep relaxation, traditional meditation and practical skills that can help you navigate the stress of daily life. The classes will be held on Wednesdays, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Amherst, starting May 22 and Thursdays, 3 to 5 p.m. in Turners Falls starting May 23. Seniors 55+from all Massachusetts towns are welcome to register for either class. The instructor, Jean Erlbaum, M.S. was trained in Mindfulness-Based stress Reduction at UMass Medical Center, Worcester, and has been teaching in the Pioneer Valley since 1972. There is a reduced fee thanks to funding from the senior centers. Registration is required. For more information about the classes, contact Jean at 413-230-1518 or email jean.erlbaum@verizon.net.
Youth Grief Support Program
WILBRAHAM – Rick’s Place provides free, peer grief support groups for youth (ages 5-18) and their caregivers. Rick’s Place offers young people and their families a place to remember their loved ones and to avoid the sense of isolation that such losses can produce Rick’s Place was established in 2007, in memory of Rick Thorpe, who died in Tower Two of the World Trade Center on 9/11. This is for young people and their families from all over Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut and offered at no charge. To participate in these free grief support programs provided by Rick’s Place, email info@ricksplacema.org or call 413-279-2010.
Virtual support groups for patients and families facing cancer
PALMER – Cancer support groups – led by Camille St. Onge, oncology social worker for Baystate Health – will be offered in the coming months. Support groups are designed to help patients, their families, and caregivers cope with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
Groups offered included: General Cancer Support Group: 1st Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Partners in Caregiving, 2nd Wednesday of the month, 5 to 6:30 p.m.; Expressive writing through Cancer, 3rd Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Breast Cancer Support group, 4th Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All meetings are currently being held virtually and are made possible through funds raised by the Walk of Champions. For more information, contact St. Onge at 413-239-7239 or email cstomagin@gmail.com
NAMI online/phone support group
HOLYOKE – The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-WM) of Western Massachusetts would like to inform the public that the NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups have resumed in a virtual format.
Mondays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Access online with zoom: https://us02web.zom.us/j/88206475051; access by phone, 646-558-8656, meeting ID: 88206475051.
Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Access online with zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82690755017; access by phone, 646-558-8656, meeting ID 82690755017. For more information, contact the office or go to namiwm.org/support.
For members of the LGBTQIA+ community, Wednesdays, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. For more information email: triciafitz7@gmail.com.
Shiloh SDA Church and The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-WM) of Western Massachusetts announces a new Family and Friends Support group for black and brown communities. The Black & Brown Family & Friends Support Group meets on the first Thursday of every month. A Zoom link will be provided for participants. For more information, contact the NAMI-WM office at 413-786-9139 or email information@namiwm.org.
A diagnosis is not required to attend any group. Anyone with mental health condition is welcome to attend any group without prior registration.
NAMI – Western Massachusetts Family Support Group
GREENFIELD – The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts announces that their Family Support Group in Greenfield is resuming in person. The group meets monthly on the last Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Clinical Support Options (CSO), 296 Federal Street, across from Sandri’s Gas Station.
In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one living with mental health challenges. NAMI’s support groups are unique because they follow a structured model, ensuring everyone can be heard and get what they need: free, confidential, and safe; designed for adult loved ones of people with mental health conditions; led by family members of people with mental health conditions; no specific medical therapy or treatment is endorsed. For more information, contact the NAMI-WM office at 413-786-9139 or information@namiwm.org.
MJD Support Group
LUDLOW – The Michael J. Dias Foundation provides education, area resources, peer support, and hope for family members and friends coping with a loved one with a substance use disorder. A support group gathers on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Center, 438 Winsor St. anyone needing support is welcome to attend. Masks are required and guests will be seated six feet apart. If you have any questions, contact Maureen at 413-563-6226.
Grief support group
CHICOPEE – Saint Rose de Lima Grief Support Group meets every Monday except major holidays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This free weekly grief support group is for people who have experienced the loss of a spouse, partner, family member or friend. All are welcome. The group meets at Saint Rose de Lima Pastoral Center, 15 Chapel St.
Online Stroke Support Group
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield College Occupational Therapy (OT) Department offers a free weekly support group for people living with stroke and their caregivers. The group meets in a virtual format on Zoom every Thursday from 3 to 4:00 p.m. Facilitated by Kathy Post, Professor Emeritus, with the assistance of 1 or 2 OT graduate students, the group provides opportunities to meet other stroke survivors from western Massachusetts, and to share challenges, successes, questions, and resources. For further information and the link to the meetings, email Kathy at kpost@springfieldcollege.edu
Narcotics Anonymous
AGAWAM – To find a local Narcotics Anonymous support group, visit NERNA.ORG or WesternMassNA.org or call 866-NA-HELP-U.
Survivors of Suicide Loss
EAST LONGMEADOW – Survivors of Suicide Loss, a support group for adults who have lost a loved one to suicide, meets on the 3rd Monday of each month (except major holidays or severe weather) at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St. from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This is a peer-facilitated group. The meetings are open, meaning new members are always welcome. The meeting room is set up to allow for recommended social distancing and attendees are required to bring and wear their own mask while in the meeting room. If circumstances allow, some meetings may be held outdoors.
Free accessible broadcast readings
SPRINGFIELD – Free 24/7 accessible local news and information is available from Valley Eye Radio for those in the Pioneer Valley no longer able to read independently due to visual and other medical and physical challenges. Contact them at www.valleyeyeradio.org or (413) 747-7337 for details on how to listen from one of their special radios or through their website, smart speakers, cable access channel, or mobile phone.
