Men and Grief

Grief doesn’t have a rulebook, but if it did, many men might say their’s would read, “Be strong. Hold it in. Don’t cry.” Society doesn’t always make space for men to grieve the way they need to so a lot of them end up doing it alone. Some throw themselves into work. Some keep busy so they don’t have to think about it. Some shut down because they don’t know what else to do. And some just don’t have a place where they feel safe enough to let it out.

That’s why spaces like our Men’s Grief Support Group matter. It’s not about talking if you don’t want to. It’s about knowing you don’t have to carry it by yourself. There’s something powerful about being with other men who get it.

But not everyone wants to join a group and that’s okay too. If you’re grieving and looking for ways to navigate it on your own terms, sometimes movement helps whether it’s walking, hiking, working out or even hitting a punching bag just to get some of that heaviness out of your body. Writing things down, even if no one ever sees it, can clear some of the noise in your head. Listening to music that resonates can help you let your emotions flow. Talking to someone who understands, even if it’s just one person, can make a difference. And for a lot of men, action speaks louder than words. Working with your hands and fixing something, building something or playing an instrument can give grief an outlet when talking about it doesn’t feel right.

If you, or someone you know, could use a space where grief doesn’t have to be hidden, our men’s group is meeting this week. No pressure. No expectations. Just a place where you can show up however you need to. And FYI: All our groups (except the Mom’s group) welcome men if they fit the other criteria for the group.

Read more: The Problem of Male Grief

~ With care

Robyn

Robyn Houston-Bean

Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation

MEETING CHANGES

Kingston MA in-person group starts back up this week.

A SECOND ZOOM MEETING FOR THE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY GRIEF GROUP!

Thanks to our new facilitators Franklin Cook and Tavyn Thuringer we now have a second zoom grief group meeting every month for People In Recovery. Please note, each group has it’s own zoom link. First meeting with the new facilitators is 3/12/25.

NEW IN-PERSON GRIEF GROUP IN AUBURN MA!

We have collaborated with the KIVA Centers to bring a grief group to Auburn MA! Our amazing facilitator Kathryn Peirce, will be offering the group starting this week on 3/12/25. For those of you in the Worcester area, here’s your chance to meet in-person!

MOVING FORWARD PARENTS ZOOM GROUP!

We introduced you to Kathi Sullivan a couple weeks ago as she started facilitating the in-person version of this group. This week starts a once a month zoom for parents.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Visit Sunday March 23, 2025 11:00 am Boston MA

Please join us! Visiting together allows us to experience beauty, history and connection in a space shaped by resilience and creativity. Did you know Isabella was a bereaved mother? Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. For questions, please contact Cindy Kaplan at (508) 269-8428. Register Here.

SADOD’s Tools & Strategies for Grieving as a Family Virtual Psychoeducational Workshop March 25th 6:30-8:00 pm ET

Grief is a deeply personal experience, and even when family members are grieving the same loss, they may process it in very different ways. One person may want to talk about their pain, while another may prefer to grieve quietly. Since there is no “right” way to grieve, it’s important to make space for these differences within the family. Join us for a workshop that will explore practical tools and strategies for grieving together as a family, supporting one another despite varying needs and approaches. This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom. Learn more and register at bit.ly/family-grief-workshop. Please note this workshop has a $10 fee for individuals outside of Massachusetts. Massachusetts residents may attend this workshop for free due to funding from MA-BSAS by using promo code MASS at the time of registration. If cost is an issue, please contact Laura@sadod.org

OPIOID SETTLEMENT FUND UPDATES

Do you know of any listening sessions in your area? Let me know and I will add them here.

Northeast Region Communities

MA Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS), and the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) are hosting a series of listening sessions on the opioid settlement funds. The listening sessions are intended to provide information about the state’s portion of the opioid settlement funds and how these monies are being used to align with the strategic priorities identified by the Opioid Recovery & Remediation Fund (ORRF) Advisory Council. More importantly, community members will have an opportunity to provide input on how these funds should be used in the future to support individuals and families disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis. The first listening session will be held in the Northeast Region (see map below) on Wednesday, March 19th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Lynn City Hall Auditorium. Sign up here.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Please help donate items or monetarily via Venmo so we can support the homeless in Boston.

HALO INITIATIVES: FAMILY OVERDOSE SUPPORT FUND

Boston Residents! If you are a BOSTON resident who has experienced the death of a family member to overdose within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.

THIS WEEK’S MEETING INFORMATION

Monday - IN-PERSON, WEYMOUTH MA 3/10/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Darlene Mersereau facilitating.

Crossroads Church, 241 Broad Street, Weymouth, MA

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Monday - Christian Faith Based Hope After Loss - IN-PERSON MARLBOROUGH, MA 3/10/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

Cheryl Juaire facilitating.

Greater Grace Christian Fellowship, 187 Pleasant St Marlborough MA.

For anyone 18 and over of the Christian faith who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. There is a special sign-up process for this group to ensure a supportive and understanding environment for all participants.

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Monday - MOM’S ONLY - ZOOM 3/10/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Tracy Carter and Karen Swindell facilitating.

For mothers who have experienced the death of a child(ren) due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81904227569?pwd=YnSJwFTN6DFsHTYnPhfMHqUue9ZaL9.1

Meeting ID: 819 0422 7569

Passcode: 807237 or

One tap mobile 13052241968

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Monday - SUICIDE RELATED DEATH- ZOOM 3/10/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Don Lipstein facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use. Whether you know for sure that suicide was the cause of death or you are uncertain, you will find support here.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84104821860?pwd=gwiYOLLDBU5dcbDRYCjQW3bxKYQ9DK.1

Meeting ID: 841 0482 1860

Passcode: 886489 or

One tap mobile 13017158592

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, NATHAN’S CIRCLE, WEST BARNSTABLE, MA 3/11/25 5:30-7:00 pm ET.

Kerry and Richard Bickford facilitating.

Compass Rose Center 1106 Main St West Barnstable MA

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Tuesday - IN-PERSON, WINTHROP, MA 3/11/25 4:30-6:00 pm ET.

JoAnn Rivieccio facilitating.

Odd Fellows Lodge, side entrance, 196 Winthrop Street, Winthrop, MA

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Tuesday - PARTNER & SPOUSE - ZOOM 3/11/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Kar-Kate Parenteau facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of a partner, spouse or significant other due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86578435343?pwd=avNFpCQpiLGCsKRKFEsexJj7E87gM5.1

Meeting ID: 865 7843 5343

Passcode: 287422 or

One tap mobile: 13052241968

________________

Tuesday - MEN’S ONLY - ZOOM 3/11/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Dave Swindell and Gary Carter facilitating.

For men 18 and over who have experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/96961980647?pwd=cFVTMHR3VE9COGc3UGdIZHo4TWVaZz09#success

Meeting ID: 969 6198 0647

Password: 300626 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Wednesday - PEOPLE IN RECOVERY - ZOOM 3/12/25 6:00-7:30 pm ET.

Franklin Cook facilitating/Tavyn Thuringer co-facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who identifies as being in recovery from any substance including alcohol who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86983267032?pwd=PVCMDdMoBrdSoZJ3G52Mrdu7FMLuvT.1

Meeting ID: 869 8326 7032

Passcode: 980796

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Wednesday - GRIEVING MULTIPLE LOVED ONES - ZOOM 3/12/25 7:00-8:30 pm ET.

Annie Avitabile facilitating.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of multiple loved ones due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88620038150?pwd=tPIsgXzIez3IJB2Ly7SoeSyNN8sYkm.1

Meeting ID: 886 2003 8150

Passcode: 358575 or

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Wednesday - IN-PERSON, AUBURN, MA 3/12/25 3:00-4:00 pm ET.

Kathryn Peirce facilitating.

Kiva Centers, 206 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA.

For anyone 18 and over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Thursday - YOUNG PERSON MEETING - ZOOM 3/13/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Chloe Brosnan facilitating.

For anyone 18-35 who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92570225816?pwd=b5V5xeeVB3I3O3Qu32Me4V7WfrbXPm.1

Meeting ID: 925 7022 5816

Passcode: 646974

One tap mobile 16465588656

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Thursday - IN-PERSON, MATTHEW’S CANDLE, KINGSTON, MA 3/13/25 7:00--8:30 pm ET.

Mary Peckham facilitating.

Plymouth County Outreach Office, 62 Main Street, Suite 107, Kingston, MA.

For anyone 18+ over who has experienced the death of someone they care about due to substance use.

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Sunday ON ZOOM- MOVING FORWARD-PEER GRIEF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS - 3/16/25 6:30-8:00 pm ET.

Kathi Sullivan facilitating.

For parents who have experienced the death of a child due to substance use.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81399455192?pwd=abdXEKMYpoAXvdsafjI4uf3jBKjykn.1

Meeting ID: 813 9945 5192

Passcode: forward or

One tap mobile 16465588656

Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email?