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Grief Support


988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Provides free, confidential support 24/7 to anyone in crisis or emotional distress. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, call the lifeline for help. A skilled, trained crisis worker will answer. This person will listen to you, provide support, and share any resources that may be helpful. Deaf/Hard of Hearing/ASL users can access the lifeline by going to the website and clicking “ASL Now.”
Always call 911 first for emergencies.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988
Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis: (888) 628-9454
Main Website: 988lifeline.org
Suicide Prevention Resource Center (for Professionals): sprc.org

Alive in My Heart

Provides support to grieving parents impacted by pregnancy and infant loss, from other parents with the same experiences. Their website has information on topics like pregnancy after loss, sibling grief, funeral arrangements, booklists and online resources for families. You can also find information on local parent support groups and community events. They provide one-time financial assistance for those who qualify, referral is required. Visit their website for program details and contact information.
PO Box 2631, Columbus, Ohio 43216
aliveinmyheart.org

Buckeye Ranch Somali Outreach Program

The Outreach Team is fluent in Somali and English to provide culturally-focused clinical care for youth and families coping with trauma, loss, resettlement, and living among a new culture. Somali families are connected to mental health counseling, case management services, and 24-hour crisis support and intervention. Call for details.
2865 West Broad Street Columbus Ohio 43204
Intake: (614) 384-8012
buckeyeranch.org/our-services/education/somali

Camp Hope

A four-day summer day camp for children and youth ages of 6-17 who have lost a loved one. The goal is to help kids survive the bereavement journey with skills, caring, and friendships to support them along the way. The camp is sponsored by Hospice of North Central Ohio (covering Ashland, Knox and Richland counties) and is open to the public.
1021 Dauch Drive, Ashland, Ohio 44805
(800) 952-2207
hospiceofnorthcentralohio.org/types-of-care/bereavement-care

Camp Lionheart

A week-long summer camp for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. Camper enjoy swimming, hiking, games, and crafts, while having structured grief group counseling sessions with trained, licensed professionals. Campers grieve, learn ways to cope with their loss, make friends, and have fun. The camp takes place at Camp Oty’okwa in Hocking Hills. They also have opportunities for clinical volunteers, non-clinical volunteer, and donations! The camp operates on donations and families are not charged.
(614) 506-7959
camplionheart.org

Central Ohio Child/Infant Loss Support Groups

  • The Compassionate Friends Columbus & Central Ohio Chapter
    Support groups to help families with their grief after the loss of a child at any age. They have online forums, Zoom support groups, and several in-person support groups across Ohio. Use their website to find a support group near you, and for additional family grief resources.
    1479 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
    (614) 584-7517
    compassionatefriends.org/chapter/tcf-central-ohio-chapter
    National Website: compassionatefriends.org
  • Baby 1st Network
    Offers bereavement support services for families who have lost children to SIDS. Call their toll-free hotline for advice, support and help finding a local support group.
    1324 North Superior Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604
    (800) 477-7437
    baby1stnetwork.org
  • OhioHealth Grief Support Services
    Offers several grief support groups, community gatherings, and one-on-one counseling for individuals and families in central Ohio. They have virtual support groups for pregnancy loss, loss of a spouse, and more.
    800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43214
    Main: (614) 566-5377 or (888) 389-6231
    Bereavement Office: (614) 533-6060
    General Information: ohiohealth.com/patients-and-visitors/support/grief-support-groups
    Find a Support Group by going to the Classes & Events page and changing Filter by Category to Grief Support: ohiohealth.com/health-and-wellness/classes-and-events

Columbus CARE Coalition

A collaborative effort to address community trauma in Columbus. The Coalition meets once a month and meetings are open to all community members. Services include free trauma-responsive trainings and COPE (Community Outreach, Prevention & Engagement). COPE volunteers provide support in the community following a traumatic event by supporting. Call or go online to request a training, COPE outreach, or to join coalition meetings.
240 Parsons Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 645-6248
columbus.gov/Services/Public-Health/Find-Health-Care-Resources/Neighborhood-Social-Services/Columbus-CARE-Coalition

Companions on a Journey Grief Support

A faith-based social service organization that provides bereavement support and educational services for children, teens, adults, and families in the Greater Cincinnati region, including West Chester and Liberty Township, Ohio, areas. They offer a variety of free programs open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Programs include grief-specific support groups including loss of a spouse, parent, sibling, child, infant or miscarriage, friend, or whose loved ones died by suicide.
8857 Cincinnati Dayton Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069
(513) 870-9108
companionsonajourney.org

Cornerstone of Hope

Provides grief support to children, teens, and adults who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Services include counseling, support groups, in-school grief support, workshops, and memorial events. They offer several overnight summer camps for ages 6-12 or 8-17 at various locations in Ohio. Self-pay and insurance options are available for individual counseling.
253 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081
(614) 824-4285
cornerstoneofhope.org
Columbus: cornerstoneofhope.org/columbus

Courageous Parents Network (CPN)

Helps families and providers caring for children with serious illness. The website offers educational videos and guides on topics related to grief and navigating hospice care. They also provide opportunities to connect with other families and providers, as well as provide advocacy resources and information related to pediatric palliative care. The information provided on the website is also available in Spanish. Visit the website for contact information.
courageousparentsnetwork.org

Directions Counseling and Coaching

Program: In-person and telehealth counseling and coaching services for children, adults, couples, and families. Counseling can address mental health concerns such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, or behavior management. Specializations include Christian counseling, autism, teen counseling, marriage and family counseling, divorce and separation, anger management, play therapy, substance abuse, video game addiction, grief and loss, and sexual abuse recovery. They do not offer Psychiatry.
Eligibility: Ages 3 and older.
Cost: Self-pay only, No government insurance, No private insurance (although patients may choose to bill their insurance company themselves). Some therapists offer sliding scale fees.
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by someone else. Call or go online to request an appointment.
1480 Manning Parkway, Powell, Ohio 43065
(614) 888-9200
directionscounseling.com

Encompass Adoptees

Hosts free monthly support groups for adoptive and foster parents and kinship caregivers, and also separate support groups for adult adoptees and foster care alum. Offers a monthly art studio for foster and adopted youth. Hosts monthly educational webinars for parents, professionals and adult adoptees / foster alum. Serves young adults beyond age 18 as well. Scholarships are available. They also provide coaching and counseling services.
122 South Terrace Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43204
(502) 873-6723
encompassadoptees.org

Families Anonymous

A 12-step fellowship for families and friends of those who are experiencing issues caused by substance abuse and addiction. Any concerned person is encouraged to attend their meetings. They offer in-person and virtual options at locations across the United States.
Find a Meeting: familiesanonymous.org/meetings/meeting-directories
National Office: (800) 736-9805
familiesanonymous.org

First Candle

Provides bereavement support to families who have lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), miscarriage, or stillbirth. Visit their website for information on safe sleep, an online bereavement resource library, and peer-to-peer online support groups.
24-hour Grief Line: (800) 221-7437
firstcandle.org
facebook.com/cjsids

Hearts Connected

Program: Provides virtual/telehealth sessions with Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS), who are clinically trained on the impact of illness, injury, trauma, and loss on child development. Interventions may include therapeutic play, art, emotional processing, trauma processing, education, and building coping strategies. They can help children, teens, and families facing challenging life circumstances such as anxiety, medical fears and preparing for a procedure, bullying, death or loss, coping with significant life transitions, and more. They offer 1:1 sessions for parents, and a free 15-minute consultation. Hearts Connected also provides virtual services for pediatric clinicians, and professional support for students pursuing Child Life certification.
Eligibility: Parents with children of all ages, Youth ages 4-21 years old.
Cost: Varies depending on the service. Families may be reimbursed for services through Private/Commercial Insurance. Families may apply for Scholarships and Financial Aid on the organization’s website.
Referral: Families may refer themselves by contacting the organization directly, or be referred by a professional.
(404) 516-0906
heartsconnected.org

Hospice of Central Ohio

Provides comprehensive end-of-life care services at locations across Ohio. They also offer grief support groups for youth and adults and a youth summer camp.
General Information: (800) 653-4490
Referral Line: (888) 449-4121
Contact Information by Location: ohioshospice.org/locations
ohioshospice.org

LOSS Community Services

Provides support for people coping with the shock, grief, and complex emotions that often accompany the loss of a loved one to suicide. They provide postvention services, support groups, one-to-one peer support, and more programs for survivors of suicide loss. They offer suicide prevention training to organizations and groups for a minimal cost.
3040 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43221
(614) 530-8064
losscs.org

Mount Carmel Crime & Trauma Assistance Program (CTAP)

Offers evidence-based, trauma-focused outpatient mental health counseling and clinical case management for individuals impacted by trauma at no cost.
Program: Includes individual trauma-informed counseling, specialized groups such as trauma-informed yoga,
Eligibility: Ages 5 and up who have experienced a traumatic event
Cost: Free
Referral: Accepts both self-referrals and professional referrals to the program. Go online to complete the Referral form.
(614) 234-5900
mountcarmelhealth.com/about-us/community-benefit/outreach-programs/crime-and-trauma-assistance-program-ctap

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Big Lots Behavioral Health Services & Community Resource Directory

Offers inpatient, outpatient, and community-based psychiatry, psychology, and counseling services for youth up to age 21. Treatment areas include mental health crisis, anxiety, ADHD, depression, eating disorders, OCD, ODD, conduct disorders, autism, and psychosis. Use the online Community Behavioral Health Resource Directory to find treatment providers and community resources across Ohio by diagnosis, type of service, organization name, or county.
700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 355-8080
nationwidechildrens.org/behavioral-health

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Hospice Services

Provides at-home hospice care services for children with life-limiting illness. Care is meant to enrich the child’s physical, psychosocial, emotional, developmental and spiritual health. Services include coordination of care, music therapy, massage therapy, counseling, bereavement support, and more. Families have access to on-call pediatric staff 24/7.
255 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 355-1100
nationwidechildrens.org/hospice

Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) Support Groups

Support groups at NCH can connect you with other families and resources in your time of need. Call for more information about program specifics. Not all programs are listed online, call Case Management Team if you are interested in finding a group that suits your family’s needs.

  • Adolescent & Adult Congenital Heart Disease Online Community
    (614) 722-5622
  • Bariatric Surgery Patient Support Group
    (614) 722-5949
  • Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group
    (614) 962-6366
  • Celiac’s Gluten Free Gang
    (614) 722-3093
  • Endocrinology Patient and Parent Focus Group
    (614) 722-6325

700 Children’s Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43205
Case Management Team: (614) 722-6300
nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/support-groups

Nemours Teens Health

This website has a lot of information for teens that covers various health topics such as depression, relationships, staying safe, sexual health, smoking, coping with cliques, binge drinking, dealing with an alcoholic parent, marijuana use, body image and much more. There is also information for parents and educators.
kidshealth.org/en/teens

OhioHealth Grief Support Services

Supports children, adolescents, and adults experiencing grief or bereavement in Franklin, Delaware, Marion, Richland, Athens, and Pickaway counties. Services include support groups for all ages, 1:1 counseling, art therapy, educational programs, referrals to community resources, and tailored support groups for pregnancy and infant loss.
OhioHealth Kobacker House at 800 McConnell Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 533-6060
Child & Adolescent Grief Support Program: (614) 566-1728
ohiohealth.com/patients-and-visitors/support/grief-support-groups

OhioHealth Hospice Care

OhioHealth hospice care addresses pain management and offers social, emotional and spiritual support for patients and families. Services include medical and nursing care, therapy, bereavement programs, and 24/7 support.
24/7 Family Question Line: (614) 566-5377 or (888) 389-6231
ohiohealth.com/services/ohiohealth-at-home/hospice

PALS for Grieving Children

Fair Hope Hospice and Palliative Care offers free support groups for children of all ages experiencing anticipatory grief or bereavement. They also offer telehealth grief support services for children, teens, and families. Go online to learn more and register.
282 Sells Road, Lancaster, Ohio 43130
(740) 304-0869 or (800) 994-7077 Toll-free
fairhopehospice.org/grief-support/family-grief

Postpartum Support International (PSI)

A national organization that provides support for moms and dads experiencing postpartum depression or needing emotional support. They do not offer medical advice or treatment. They have free, virtual parent support groups for moms, dads, family members, queer and trans parents, military parents, adoptive and birth mothers, postpartum psychosis, and those experiencing lost pregnancy of death of a child.
Helpline: Call or text HELP to (800) 944-4773
Text en Español: 971-203-7773
Mental Health Emergency Line: (800) 273-8255
postpartum.net

Sesame Street in the Communities

Provides information and videos to help children thrive and deal with issues that affect children’s lives. Resource topics include health and wellness, social-emotional skills, trauma, diversity and inclusion, and school readiness. They offer videos, games, and worksheets for children to explore, and free webinars for parents and educators.

Sesame for Families: sesameworkshop.org/resources
sesamestreet.org/home

St. Vincent Family Services (SVFS)

Behavioral health intervention and treatment services for youth with emotional and behavioral challenges.
Program: Outpatient and inpatient services (home-based and school-based), telehealth, therapeutic preschools and after school programs, residential care, support for foster families, and specialized services for Hispanic/Latino children. Children with an autism diagnosis are eligible for outpatient mental health and play therapies.
Eligibility: Youth ages 3-18 years old, and their families.
Cost: Therapies can be billed to Medicaid and a variety of insurances.
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization. Walk-in services (no appointment needed) are available.
1490 East Main Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 252-0731 or (614) 824-5437
svfc.org

Still Standing: The Alexander Project

Provides grieving mothers and their families support by offering individual and group support and mentoring programs, outings, and events. This resource is focused on helping families who have lost a loved one due to violence.
(614) 597-0538
ssthealexanderproject.org

Syntero

Program: Offers outpatient behavioral health counseling, psychiatry, support groups, case management services, school-based therapeutic intervention and prevention services, and intensive outpatient programs for adolescents or substance use disorder. They also offer integrated primary care, pharmacy services, Help Me Grow, and educational training for parents and professionals.  The Building Successful Families program offers home-based therapy for biological parents working on reuniting with children placed in foster care.
Eligibility: Ages 4 and older, varies depending on the program.
Cost: Medicaid, Private insurance, Self-pay (sliding fee scale for uninsured Franklin County residents).
Referral: Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a physician or organization. Visit the website for intake forms.

  • 299 Cramer Creek Court, Dublin, Ohio 43017
    (614) 889-5722
  • 3645 Ridge Mill Drive, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
    (614) 457-7876
  • 7100 Graphics Way, Suite 3100, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
    (740) 428-0428
  • 245 Neal Avenue, Mount Gilead, Ohio 43338
    (419) 949-4300

New Clients/Intake: (614) 889-5722, ext. 133
syntero.org



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