GREENVILLE — State of the Heart will be hosting a children’s Grief Support Group for any child ages 6-12 who are grieving the loss of a loved one. There need be no association with hospice and the sessions are free. This group will meet on Tuesdays starting October 4 and continue until November 1. Meets will take place in State of the Heart’s Darke Office (1350 N. Broadway) from 4:30-6 p.m.

“The loss of a loved one impacts us all in a different way,” said Ashlee Slavin, Music Therapist and grief support specialist for State of the Heart. “This is particularly true of children as they grieve differently from adults. The grief support groups provide a ‘safe place’ for young people to express themselves and to find that there are other youth who are experiencing the same feelings and emotions that they have.”

State of the Heart Care, with offices in Greenville, Coldwater and Portland, provides care to families and patients in eastern Indiana and western Ohio who are facing a life limiting illness. An important part of the care is bereavement support which is provided free to anyone in the communities served, regardless of association with hospice.

“We offer our grief support groups for children at different times throughout the year,” Slavin said. “We always have a good response which tells me there is a definite need to offer this grief support to youth in our community.”

She added that the non-profit agency also offers grief support sessions at area schools. The bereavement team from State of the Heart has helped schools when a death occurs suddenly, offering counseling to both students and staff.

Those wishing to attend the Children’s Grief Support Group must register in advance. To register or to learn more about bereavement care for all ages, contact any member of the bereavement staff at 1-800-417-7535. Visit the agency web site at www.stateoftheheartcare.org.