Grief support group forms on campus

April 25, 2005 —

A new group has formed at SVSU that will provide assistance to those suffering from grief. Founded by students Sean Locey and Steve Lewitzke, the group aims to offer friendship, guidance and support to those who feel they are grieving and in need of comfort.

To launch the group's creation, Dr. William Steele, MSW, PsyD spoke in the SVSU Unity Room on Tuesday, April 5. Steele is the founder and director of the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children and offered his 35 years of experience to those who attended. Steele addressed a number of topics and answered audience member's questions during his 45-minute presentation. He also gave away handouts filled with tips and information on handling grief.

Following Steele's presentation, Locey and Lewitzke addressed audience members and informed them of the group's intentions.

"There is a group that is coming into existence here on the SVSU campus," Lewitzke said. "[Students] don't have to feel pressure or obligation to reveal what the identity of their grief may be but just know that there is an outreach."

Indeed, an outreach is what Lewitzke and Locey wish to offer but not necessarily in the form of counseling or therapy. Though professional information and assistance will be available through the group, the focus will be more on fun, group activities. Plans are in the works to attend movies, sporting events, play games - whatever the group decides - to bring comfort and friendship to grieving people.

"We want to create a living room atmosphere where students can go," Lewitzke said.

Since the term "grief" can be difficult to define, the group intends to accept everyone with open arms. Whether an individual is dealing with death, divorce, a break up or something else, they will not be turned away.

"We don't want to single out specific types of grief," Locey said. "We just want to be an open ear to any type of problem, loss or grief."

Familiarity with grief is one of the reasons Locey and Lewitzke decided to create such a group. Both have lost their mother, both know what it means to deal with grief and both understand how important it can be to have a friend to talk to.

"In my case and in a lot of other people's cases too," Locey said, "I just find that when I try to forget something or try to deny it's there or just keep it to myself, it weighs a lot heavier on my shoulders."

Despite the group atmosphere, both Locey and Lewitzke are hesitant to label the group an "organization."

"When you use the word organization you feel like there's going to be duties you'll have to do, there's going to be things that you're required to do and expected to do," Locey said. "We don't have any expectations, we don't have any duties. It's just people getting together."

For more information contact Sean Locey at smlocey@svsu.edu or Steve Lewitzke at swlewitz@svsu.edu.