At one time or another, we all need a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes that shoulder is hard to find. Family or friends may lend an ear, but they may not have experienced the challenges you're facing. When you need the encouragement and honesty of someone who's walked in your shoes, it might be time to seek out a support group.

Support groups offer a safe environment where you can share your feelings and learn from the experiences of others. You might even help another group member when you talk about your own situation.

Barbara Brune, a volunteer with the hospital's Foundation, knows first hand how valuable taking part in a support group can be. After she was diagnosed with diabetes about a year and a half ago, she became involved with the Diabetes Support Group. She says the opportunity to share and learn from others in the group has made
living with diabetes easier.

"When you first find out you have diabetes it can be overwhelming," she says. "It helps to share your ideas and feelings, and to know you're not alone."

The meetings offer Barbara and other group members a place where they can share the information and resources they have come across. Having so many eyes and ears in the community is a great way to keep up with new testing equipment, the latest in research, and the little things like the best place to find sugar-free candy.

Barbara says the members of the group motivate each other to stay focused and keep their diabetes under control. Group members truly care about each other's health and well being, and want to see everyone in the group stay healthy.

Barbara compares attending a support group with many of the other social groups and activities that are a part of our lives. Whether you belong to a church, attend a book club, or play golf with your buddies, she says, you are spending time with people with whom you share some common ground.

As part of its mission to serve our community, East Jefferson General Hospital sponsors several groups and provides meeting space to local organizations. The result is an array of support groups addressing a variety of medical conditions and emotional challenges. Most of the groups are free to attend and are open to the public, and many welcome family members or friends to attend.

In addition to groups for those with specific medical diagnoses, the hospital hosts groups that cater to the emotional challenges faced by loved ones. Elder Advantage, for example, offers the Caregivers' Support Group for those with a spouse, parent or other loved one who needs their care on a daily basis. Another is the Grief Support Group, offered by Oncology Services, which provides a forum for those who have lost a loved one to cancer or other illness.