Do HUGG support groups work?
In 2020 we agreed to take part in a research study by NSRF, funded by the Irish Research Council
Seventy five HUGG group members took the survey between Aug 2020 and May 2021.
The aim of the study was to find out if by attending a HUGG support group there was a positive effect on the wellbeing and traumatic grief of participants.
We are happy to say that the finds were very positive.
KEY FINDINGS
After participating in a HUGG group, those surveyed said they experienced a significant improvement in overall mental wellbeing.
We also found a significant reduction in symptoms of traumatic grief and physical (somatic) symptoms of grief.
Some of the main benefits of HUGG groups were:
Listening to the lived experience of those who are bereaved by suicide is a big part of what we advocate for in HUGG and we'd like to share a few quotes from those who took part:
"I think the thing I felt the most
was I felt really alone in my
grief, like I felt no-one else
understood […].That’s what I get
in [peer-support group] and
that’s the only place I have had
that and have since, so it’s really
important to me".
"You don’t have to put everything
into the perfect words to make
somebody understand because
they already understand. So that
is the best part, is that they do."
"It’s really helpful for people early
on to see someone sitting there
breathing, alive, after four or
five years of this and saying ‘It
does get better."
To view the full report please click here and to read a summary of the report please click here
Due to the COVID-19 our support groups are now meeting online.
For more information just click here
Tel: 01 513 4048 (monitored answering machine) or Email: info@hugg.ie
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your consent choices at any time by updating your privacy settings.