Grief can feel like a lonely journey, but you don’t have to go through it alone. We invite you to connect with the support you need in a way that feels right for you.
Our virtual peer support groups offer a safe and comforting space to talk about your feelings and experiences, take in helpful ideas and insights, and feel heard and understood. No matter where you are on your grief journey, there are opportunities to share love and strength with others who really get it.
Peer support groups are free and open to birthing and non-birthing parents who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. Meetings are led by facilitators who are loss parents as well as healthcare professionals.
A peer mentor can listen to your concerns, answer questions, and share their perspective from a little further down the path. Although everyone’s loss experience is different, connecting with a peer is one way to feel less alone.
Peer mentors are available to provide caring contacts by email, phone, or text. Please note that mentors are parent volunteers who are trained to provide peer support and are not a replacement for professional therapy or medical services. Program guidelines will be reviewed when you are matched with your mentor. Additional information is available in our FAQs.
Griffin Cares Foundation hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including our annual Remembrance Day event in October in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. This special program brings together our entire community of peers, professionals, and allies to share love and inspiration as we remember our babies together.
All Griffin Cares Foundation special events are free and open to the community. Your support network of friends and family members is welcome to attend. For updates on upcoming events and other Griffin Cares Foundation initiatives, please sign up for our newsletter below.
A peer support group is a safe and supportive environment to discuss your feelings and experiences with other loss parents. Support groups can help members feel less alone and more prepared to navigate daily life after baby loss. Our peer group facilitators are all loss parents who also have a professional healthcare background. Please note that peer support groups are not a substitute for individual therapy or professional medical care.
The Griffin Cares Support Group meets virtually on the second Monday of each month from 8:00-9:30pm ET. Our peer group is open to all parents who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss. After you complete your one-time Support Registration Form, you will receive updates on upcoming groups, meeting links, and reminders. Our group is an open format so you can drop in whenever you would like and opt out at any time.
It takes a lot of courage to attend a group for the first time, and we are honored to have you join us. Keep in mind that everyone you meet once had a first session and wants to help you feel comfortable. Other members will introduce themselves and share a little about their stories and you will be invited to introduce yourself as well. We encourage you to take things at your own pace and feel free to participate or just listen until you feel ready to join the conversation.
Group discussions are 90 minutes and generally include time for checking in as well as a conversation about a topical issue or common feelings such as sadness, anger, or guilt. Strategies to navigate interactions with friends and relatives, getting through holidays and first-year milestones, and return to work issues are also addressed.
Grief is a personal journey and there is no one right way to do it. The best time to join a group is when you feel that you would like to talk to other families who have had loss experiences. Some people want to have this sense of connection and community right away; others want to take some time to heal on their own or talk individually with a mentor before being in a group setting.
A peer mentor is a fellow bereaved parent who has lived with loss for at least one year and has completed a training program. Peer mentors understand firsthand what it is like to deal with grief and volunteer their time to “pay it forward” to help families who have recently experienced a loss. When grief is so new and raw, sometimes just knowing that someone else has made it through the dark place you are in provides a glimmer of hope and encouragement. A Peer Mentor can also be a helpful source for practical suggestions and advice on dealing with family and friends and returning to daily life.
Once you complete your Support Registration Form, our Peer Mentor Team will work to match you with a mentor who has had a similar experience. Our goal is to connect you with someone who will be able to help you as quickly as possible. After you have been matched, your mentor will reach out to set up your first meeting. If you have any additional questions, please email our Peer Mentor Team at info@griffincaresfoundation.org.
Dads and non-birthing parents are welcome to attend support groups and are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings. Listening to different perspectives is an important way to learn more about grief and share support. Partners can also sign up to be paired with a Peer Mentor who can help them process their experience. Everyone grieves differently and deserves support.
There is no fee for loss moms and dads to participate in a support group or be paired with a Peer Mentor. The Griffin Cares Foundation is a nonprofit organization, and all of our programs, services, and resources are completely funded through the generosity of our donors. Our support services are available free of charge to families who have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss.
Our caring community is here for you
Help others heal by sharing what has worked for you
Support a peer who is new to grief
Sign up below to get involved in a way that feels meaningful
