Grief Support Group: New Initiative Supports People Impacted by Overdose Deaths

Mentor, OH  Sept. 22, 2015 :

Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers has announced the establishment of a new bereavement support group for families and individuals who have lost a loved one as a result of substance abuse or addiction. The group will meet weekly from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Mentor office located at 9083 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH,  and be facilitated by a licensed counselor.  Group members will be assisted with identifying, processing and moving through stages of grief, and receive education and support regarding the disease of addiction. The group is open to the public and no pre-registration is required. More information about the group is available by calling 440.255.0678.

According to the Lake County General Health District (LCGHD), an average of 5 people die from drug overdoses each day in Ohio.  In Lake County alone there were 46 drug-related deaths in 2014. Ohio’s death rate due to prescription medication drug overdose increased 336% over a 12 year period from 2000 – 2012. The spring 2015 LCGHD Drug Overdose Surveillance Report states that in 2014 unintentional drug overdose deaths by drug type indicated that 48% of overdose deaths were attributed to prescription drugs, 33% of deaths were from illicit drugs and 19% of deaths were due to a combination of the two.

“We have had numerous requests for bereavement counseling from grieving families as they struggle with the loss of their loved ones. We are grateful to the Lake County ADAMHS Board for their interest and funding of this new support group.” said Melanie Blasko, President and CEO. All programs at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers are made possible through the support of the Lake County ADAMHS Board, the Geauga Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services and United Way of Lake & Geauga Counties.