SUPPORT GROUPS

For a full list of upcoming health events visit www.gazette net.com/life/health/ PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

POST POLIO – A group of post-polio survivors meets on the third Sunday of each month from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Greenfield Savings Bank, 235A King St., Northampton, (across from Bluebonnet) to keep up with new information and discuss progress. If you had polio 20 to 50 years ago and wonder if you may have post-polio syndrome, join us. Call Philippe for more information at 727-8637.

SPANISH BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP — The Holyoke Medical Center holds a Spanish language group for those diagnosed with breast cancer on the third Thursday of every month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The group meets in the Fran Como Conference Room, on the first floor of the main hospital. All cancer patients, families and caregivers are welcome to attend. Light refreshments. Transportation available depending on area of residence. Call Jolene Lambert, R.N., at 534-2501.

YOGA FOR PARKINSONS — Playful movement and gentle yoga classes for those with Parkinson’s disease with experienced instructor Donna Brooks RSME. Improve coordination, dexterity, strength, balance, flexibility. Wednesday mornings at Wellspring Neurotherapy Association, 104 Russell St., Hadley. Fee associated. First class free. Call 230-1260 or visit originalbodywisdom.com. VISION, SPEECHAND HEARING

VISION — A low-vision support group meets regularly from March through December on the first Wednesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. No fee. Registration required. Call 587-1226.

FOOD ISSUES

CELIAC AND GLUTEN-FREE — The Celiac and Gluten-free Support Group of Western Massachusetts meets every other month at an on-call basis, at Sylvester’s Restaurant, 111 Pleasant St., Northampton. Email homstead-health@live.com or call 527-7524.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS — A group to help people dealing with eating issues meets Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. and Mondays at 5:15 p.m. at the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East St., Amherst and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at the Newman Center, 472 North Pleasant St., Amherst. No dues or fees. For information call Marlene, 335-6046.

WEIGHT LOSS — TOPS, an organization with the goal of supporting people in the struggle of weight loss, meets Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Easthampton Community Center, 12 Clark St. First meeting free; open to men, women and children age 7 and older. Call Irene at 562-8396 or Dolores at 203-1457.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS —12-step group for problems with bulimia, weight issues, and those obsessed with food, weight or dieting. Free; no weigh-ins. Call 265-3910. Ongoing meetings: Sundays 4 to 5:30 p.m., 472 North Pleasant St., Amherst; Wednesdays 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.742 Main St.Amherst; Fridays 10 to 11:30 a.m.98 North Maple St., Hadley. GRIEF

SURVIVING AFTER A LOVED ONE’S SUICIDE – Meet with other survivors to share experiences living with the grief of a loved one’s suicide. Free, peer run. Meets the second Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Baystate Health Community Room, 325 King St., Northampton. For more information contact Geraldine at sas4healing@gmail.com.

BEREAVEMENT — Eight-week bereavement support groups are offered periodically by VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Drive, Northampton. Free; a brief interview is required. For information call 584-1060.

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS — A support group for people who have lost children meets regularly on the first Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Baystate Medical Center, 3300 Main St., Springfield. For more information call Beth-Ann at 687-1073 or visit www.compassionatefriends.org

EMPTY ARMS MISCARRIAGE SUPPORT– A circle of support for families grieving the loss of a baby early in pregnancy. Meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Contact emptyarmsbereavement@gmail.com or go to emptyarmsbereavement.org for meeting details.

EMPTY ARMS BEREAVEMENT – A circle of support for families grieving the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or in the early days or months of life, meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. Contact emptyarmsbereavement@gmail.com or go to emptyarmsbereavement.org. for meeting details.

INFERTILITY SUPPORT – Those struggling to conceive may join other families in a safe, confidential space to exchange stories, share coping strategies and receive non-judgmental, advice-free support. Open to anyone for whom conception is a struggle. Meetings are held at 140 Pine St., Room 2B, Florence. For more information visit emptyarmsbereavement.org. or email emptyarmsbereavement@gmail.com.

EMPTY ARMS SUBSEQUENT CHOICES– A circle of support for families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and are now considering pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy. meets the third Tuesday of the month. Location varies. For more information contact emptyarmsbereavement@gmail.com or go to emptyarmsbereavement.org.

FAMILY BEREAVEMENT — The Garden: A Center for Grieving Children and Teens offers bereavement support groups for families with children ages 5 to 18 at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice in Northampton on Sunday afternoons in the Fall and Spring. Prior to attending, all families must call for an intake appointment. Call Shelly Bathe Lenn at 582-5312, or email shelly_lenn@cooley-dickinson.org. MENTAL HEALTH

PEER SUPPORT – ?The Connections peer-to-peer support group is held at The Easthampton Congregational Church, 112 Main St., Easthampton, Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The contact person is Ellen at ellengroupinfo@gmail.com. The contact information for the NAMI - Western Mass location is 786-9139. The purpose of the group is to support adults living with mental health challenges from a dynamic, informed, compassionate platform.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS/CAREGIVERS — NAMI WM Family and Friends Support Group offers support to family members or friends of people who are dealing with the challenges of mental illness. The Northampton group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Windhorse Integrative Mental Health, 211 North St., Suite 1, Northampton. For more information call Carol at 527-0532.

HEARING VOICES — A group for voice hearers or people who are familiar with extreme states of consciousness meets Mondays 3:30 to 5 p.m. at 211 North St., Northampton. The group offers an opportunity to share experiences and coping strategies. Free. For information call 586-0207.

MENTAL ILLNESS/ADDICTIONS — A group for families and friends of people living with mental illness and substance abuse issues meets Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Childbirth Conference Room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. For information call Bruce Bradley at 582-2151.

CAREGIVERS — Support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other debilitating conditions meets every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Childbirth Conference Room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. For information call Bruce Bradley at 582-2151.

FAMILY MEMBERS AFFECTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS — A group for parents of people with mental illness meets the last Monday of every month (except holidays), 6 to 8 p.m. at 324A Springfield St., Agawam, and the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Windhorse Integrative Mental Health, 211 North St., Suite #1, Northampton. Sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. For more information about the Agawam group call Jean at 374-9185 or for the Northampton group, Carol 527-0532, or go to namiwm.org. MISCELLANEOUS

CLUTTER— Clutterers Anonymous 12-step group. Free. Meets every Friday, 6:30 p.m., at the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East St., Amherst. Call Mike at 345-5115 or go to http://www.claeast.org/ for more info.

UNDEREARNERS ANONYMOUS — A fellowship of people coping with the inability to provide for one’s needs. A group for those who feel they are underachieving or under-being, no matter how much money they make, meets Mondays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, 16 Spring St., Amherst. Contact Jewell at 259-1814. PARENTING

BREASTFEEDING— The Birthing Center at Holyoke Medical Center offers breastfeeding classes in the Childbirth Ed classes. Upcoming dates can be obtained by calling the center. Pre-registration is necessary. Mothers’ partners are encouraged to attend. For more information or to pre-register, call 534-2700.

WESTERN MASS PARENT SUPPORT GROUP — A support group to help parents deal with the disease of addiction and substance abuse in their children meets Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, 1233 Main St., Holyoke. For more information call Barbara at 246-0677 or Lisa at 626-9889.

LA LECHE LEAGUE —The breastfeeding support group meets the first Friday of every month, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cooley Dickinson Center for Midwifery Care Community Room, 10 Denniston Place, Northampton. For more information visit lllmarivt.org/organizer/amherst-northampton.

GRANDPARENT SUPPORT GROUP — Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Amherst Family Center, 1200 North Pleasant St. A place where grandparents can come together to talk about their experiences as parents and grandparents. A free group with snacks and childcare for kids up to age 4. For information, call 256-1145 or email afc@umass.edu.

BEYOND BIRTH — A group for parents and their children from birth to six months meets Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Community Room at the Midwifery Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. For more information contact: 888-554-4234.

OVER THE HUMP — A group for parents and their children from 6- to 12-months old meets Thursdays from 10:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Midwifery Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Call 888-554-4234

KINSHIP CARE SUPPORT GROUPS — For families created when a relative or friend rises to care for other relatives or friends children. Learn about resources, share and be heard. The United Arc and our collaborators offer support groups at the following locations:

Greenfield– First Monday 6 to 8 p.m. and third Wednesday noon to 2 p.m., 90 Federal St. Greenfield

Turners Falls– Second Tuesdays 11:30 to 1 p.m. and fourth Monday, 294 Avenue A, Turners Falls

Williamsburg — Third Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m., The Commons Work Space, Helen E. James School, 16 Main St., third floor, enter on the right side of the building.

Huntington — Fourth Wednesday 10 a.m. to noon, Hilltown Family Center, 9 Russell Road (Route 20) Childcare is provided by calling 24 hours in advance of meeting. Refreshments. For more information, please contact Pat Keith at 563-1981 or patkeith@unitedarc.org.

PFLAG — PFLAG offers support, education, and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, their families, friends, and allies.Call the Helpline at 625-6636, or e-mail fhcpflag@gmail.com. Facebook: PFLAG Franklin-Hampshire Chapter. The Northampton group meets the second Tuesday of each month at Pioneer Valley Family Medicine at 325 King St. The Greenfield group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Conference Room at BayState Franklin Medical Center, 164 High St.

PREPARED CHILDBIRTH CLASS — The Birthing Center at Holyoke Medical Center’s childbirth class meets Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 p.m. in the birthing center conference room. The classes run for seven consecutive weeks and include discussions on relaxation and breathing techniques; the birth process; how the baby develops; nutrition; environmental hazards in pregnancy; staying comfortable during pregnancy; newborn care; basics of breastfeeding and postpartum adjustment. Expectant mothers and their coaches are encouraged to enroll so that classes are completed four weeks before the mother’s due date. Registration is necessary. For information on starting dates, or to register, call 534-2700.

MOTHERWOMAN SUPPORT GROUPS — Safe, confidential spaces where moms can speak the truth about motherhood and feel heard, understood, nurtured and validated. Facilitated by MotherWoman leaders, groups are free and open to the public.

Amherst: Getting Real About Motherhood, UMass Amherst Family Center. Expectant mothers welcome. Support circle on Thursdays from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Free childcare provided for children through age 5.

Hadley: Postpartum Group, Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, MotherWoman office, 220 Russell St. Call 387-0703.

Greenfield: We’re All In This Together, Fridays 10 a.m. to noon, Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St. Call 774-1000 ext. 2048. SUPPORT AND

RELATIONSHIPS

EMOTIONAL HEALING – Open free support group for all community members seeking emotional healing. See principles at PeakLivingNetwork.wordpress.com. Thursday mornings in Florence, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Call Lundy Bancroft for location, 582-6700.

DIVORCED/SEPARATED – A support group for divorced/separated people will be held at Tir Na NOg Retreat, 423 Florence Road, Florence. Designed for people who are divorced or have filed for divorce, the focus is on difficulties and emotions prevalent during the transition – or mourning – period of the divorce. Divorced people who have not effectively dealt with this stage would also benefit. Registration fee of $140 due at first meeting.

STRAIGHT SPOUSES — The Straight Spouse Network, for current and former straight spouses of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender partners, offers confidential networking over the phone. Affiliated with the nonprofit Straight Spouse Network, www.straightspouse.org. Free. A help line is available at 625-6636.

TRANSFORMING PARENTS — Support group for parents of transgender, gender non-conforming, or questioning children, teenagers and adults, meets on the first Thursday of each month, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Northampton. Contact transformingparents@gmail.com for location and more information.

ADDICTION – Learn to Cope is a support organization for those affected by a loved one’s addiction. Weekly support meetings are held at Greenfield Community College, One College Drive, Main Building, Room C-208,in Greenfield on Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and at Providence Hospital, first floor auditorium, 1233 Main St., Holyoke, Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information contact Marcy Julian at 508-404-3539 or mjulian@learn2cope.org.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY – The Pioneer Valley Brain Injury Support Group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Community Room, 42 Golden Court, Hadley (at the intersection of Route 9 and (Route 47). Educational presentations and social support for those coping with TBI, their families/friends and their caregivers are welcomed. Email: pvbisg@gmail. com. WWW.pvbisg.org.

ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS/DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES — Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. at new location in the conference room behind the cafeteria at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton. Enter the main door and ask the desk clerk for directions, or follow signs at the end of the hall to the cafeteria. Call Robin at 917-533-5691.

AGING ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS — A support group for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias meets regularly on the first Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 247 Northampton St., Easthampton. For information call Michael Paton at 498-5995.

ALATEEN — Meeting for teens whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking takes place the first and second Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at First Churches, 129 Main St., Northampton, entrance on Center Street. The Alateen meeting is at the same time as a regular Al-Anon adult children of alcoholics meeting, which runs from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays in the First Churches’ basement. For more information about meeting times/locations visit: http://www.valleyalanon.org/al_mtg.html

AL-ANON MEETINGS: Mondays and Thursdays, noon and 1 p.m. at the University of Massachusetts Campus Center Room 802. Al-Anon is a confidential 12-step fellowship for anyone who feels that their life has been affected by another person’s drinking. We share our experience, strength and hope in order to solve our common problems. There are no dues or fees. For more information, see valleyalanon.org

AL-ANON — Al-Anon Family Groups offer support for anyone whose life is affected by someone else’s drinking. Local meetings include: Adult Children of Alcoholics, First Churches basement, Center Street, Northampton, Saturday 9:30 a.m.; Al-Anon Women’s group (all welcome,) Quaker Meeting House, 43 Center St., Northampton5 p.m. Sunday; Amherst College Chapin Hall room 101, 17 Barrett Hill Road, Tuesday, 7 p.m.; Grace Episcopal Church, use Spring Street entrance to parish hall, Amherst, Wednesdays, 4 p.m; Adult Children of Alcoholics (open to any Al-Anon member). For more visit www.ma-al-anon-alateen.org and click on “find a meeting.”

CAREGIVERS — Jewish Family Service Caregivers Support Group meets Tuesdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St., Northampton. Free. To register or for more information call Cathy Chandler, 455-1936, extension 104 or email c.chandler@jfswm.org.

DEMENTIA AND CAREGIVING — A support group for caregivers of loved ones with dementia meets the second and fouth Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Amherst Senior Center. Emotional support, nurse consultant, resource information, speakers, and loaning library. Contact Helen MacMellon, LCSW, for dates at 259-3062 or macmellonh@amherstma.gov.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE — A drop-in support group for those dealing with domestic violence meets on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at 43 Center St. suite 304, Northampton. Sponsored by Safe Passage. For information about this and other groups call 586-1125.

MEN’S GROUPS — Valley Men’s Support Groups sponsor these facilitated drop-in support groups for men: For all men: second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 7 to 9 p.m. For gay, bisexual and questioning men: Mondays, 7 to 9 p.m. Both groups meet at Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton. For more information, call 570-3157 and leave a message, or email vmsg-info@verizon.net

SEXUAL ASSAULT— Support, Connect, Heal is a journaling and sharing group for sexual assault survivors. Meetings are Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Amherst. This group is for all survivors of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse, regardless of gender, age, race, ability or religion. Intake interview required. Call 545-0883. PHYSICAL WELL-BEING

BLOOD PRESSURE — A walk-in blood pressure clinic for seniors is held the first Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Free. For more information call 587-1228.

LYME SUPPORT – Peer-based, ongoing facilitated discussion includes strategies and resources for living well with tick-borne illness. All are welcome including any support people. Second Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. at Potpourri Plaza, 243 King St., Suite 248, Northampton

CANCER — Support groups provide a space to draw on the experience, resources, and courage of others who are facing a cancer diagnosis. Cancer Connection, 41 Locust St., Northampton, offers support groups for breast cancer, melanoma (meets on request), ovarian and gynecological cancers; a group for people with advanced cancers, and two groups intended for all types of cancer. There are also groups for men and for caregivers, and a health and vitality group focused on survivorship. Call 586-1642 for days and times and to register. For more information go to www.cancer-connection.org.

CANCER — The Holyoke Medical Center Oncology Department holds an ongoing cancer support group on the second Tuesday of every month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Fran Como Conference Room, first floor. All cancer patients, families and caregivers are welcome to attend. Light refreshments. Transportation is available depending on area of residence. For information call Jolene Lambert, R.N. at 534-2501.