D., my sister lost her first baby boy to SIDS. She has been a memer of SIDS of Illinois for a very long time. As a family, we have long been involved in this awesome organization.
You can go to SIDSIllinois.com or :
Support Services
The goal of SIDS of Illinois is to bring together volunteers and professionals to provide compassionate and meaningful support services to families and individuals who suffer the death of an infant. Through the coordination of referrals, Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois and other agencies can establish support and foster the needs of grieving families.
A toll-free Number is available to all Illinois residents needing support. In Illinois, call 1-800-432-SIDS(7437) to speak with a bereavement support specialist.
24-Hours 7-Days a Week- National Bereavement Number:
1-800-221-7437 to speak to with a bereavement support specialist.
Family Packet/Bereavement Resources:
Upon receipt of a referral, the newly bereaved parent(s) is sent a packet of information complete with self addressed, stamped post card allowing the family to request additional information. We have resources for those directly affected by the baby’s death including single parents, teenage parents, fathers, grandparents, child care providers, and medical personnel. Upon request, new families will receive a copy of the highly acclaimed SIDS and Other Infant Death Survival Guide, and Surviving the Death of an Infant Video. Both resources provide a wealth of information to offer comfort to the grieving families. Families will only be contact by telephone upon specific request. Available in English and Spanish.
One-on-One Peer Support:
It is crucial that parents and families receive support. Many parents have a strong system but their families and friends put a time limit on their grief. These parents will seek peer support weeks or months after their baby has died. Other parents struggle with their pain alone and feel isolated. Another bereaved parent can provide insight to grieving parent that may go beyond the experience of well-intended relatives and friends who are unable to help or who do not understand. These peer parents have received specialized training from a certified bereavement facilitator. The role of peer parent is to provide support. They are not counselors nor do they give advice. Available in English and Spanish.
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Support Groups
Support Groups-
We weep together
We laugh together
We hope together
There is sometimes a misconception among bereaved families that participating in a group will only magnify the grief process. This is wrong! Grief is painful and it will not be ignored. You may try to eat through it, sleep through it, drink through it, work through it or drug through it. It will ooze throughout your life. Support groups offer a way to meet our grief head on with the support of others who are a similar situation. We are with others who understand that we have good moments and bad ones. There a people with us who know that we will feel worse at 4 months than we did at one month when the shock and numbness have worn off. There are people with us who have walked this path before us. There are people to cry with us and laugh with us and to remember that before our babies died – they lived.
Monthly support group meetings in a variety of locations around Illinois as well as flexible, as needed support groups. Relatives, friends and childcare providers are welcome to attend. Participants can share their concerns in a safe environment. If your area does not currently offer a group, contact the office, we will try to find a group from another organization that may help or send you a copy of our video – You Are Not Alone. This video was designed to be a “Support Group in a Box”.
General Groups
Online Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
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General Groups - SIDS & Other Infant Death Support Group
Hinsdale More Information
Group 1: SIDS Support Group
Date: 2nd Thursday of each month
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Redeemer Lutheran Church (Lower Level)
First Street and Park Avenue
139 E. First Street
Hinsdale, IL
Facilitator: Pam Borchardt
Chicago – Englewood Neighborhood
Date: 3rd Monday of each month
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Englewood West Library
63 rd & Wood
Chicago , IL
Contact Gail Patton at ###-###-#### or ###-###-####
Rockford Group
Rockford - Healing Hearts Support Group
Date: 3rd Monday of Each Month
Time: 7:00
Meeting Place: QMI Building
215 N. 4 th St .
Rockford, Il 61107
Contact: Haven Network - ###-###-####
Quad City Group
Quad Cities group meets as requested by appointment. For information call Betsy ###-###-####.
Springfield, IL Group
Date: Every Tuesday Evening
Time: 6:45 - 8:00 PM
Meeting Place: St. John's Hospital
The Chapel Annex at
800 Carpenter St
Springfield, IL
Facilitator: Dee Stern, Chaplain
For Questions, please contact: ###-###-####
St Louis, Mo Group
Date: 3rd Monday of Every Month
Meeting Place: SIDS Resources
143 Grand Ave.
St. Louis, Mo 63122
For more informaiton contact
Lori Behrens at ###-###-####
All These Groups can NOT accommodate childern
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Online Support Groups
Support Groups for General SIDS Discussion: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidsfamilies
For SIDS Granparents: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidsgrandparents
For SIDS Fathers:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidsdads
For Expecting SIDS Mom & SIDS Moms with subsequent babies: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/babiesaftersids
For SIDS Moms Trying to Conceive: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidsmomstrying
For SIDS Siblings: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidssiblings
For SIDS Parents a Few Years Down the Road: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sidsdtr
For SIDS Aunts:
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/sids-aunts
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Frequently Asked Questions
about Support Groups (FAQs)
What is a support group and how can it help me?
A support group is lead by a grief facilitator. Many times, this person is also a SIDS parent as well. They know the journey you are on and can help you with many of your grief questions. We believe that the death of a child and the sadness that we feel is very isolating. Even our closest friends and family do not seem to understand the grief that we feel. Sharing the pain with others who have had similar experiences helps to make us feel less isolated, less alone and sometimes even shows us that we can survive this event.
What if I don't want to talk about it?
In the group, you should never feel pressured to talk. You will be asked by the facilitator is you'd like to talk. You may chose to remain silent. You should feel comfortable to talk only when you are ready to talk. Many people go to several meetings and just listen before they are ready to share their experience with the group. There are no ground rules for these groups, only friendship, empathy and support. In fact, some of the most meaningful friendships blossom in support groups. The pain and isolation can become overwhelming if you try to get through it alone.
What if I don't like the support group?
It makes sense that you wouldn't like being in the company of so much pain. However awkward it may seem at first, try to attend at least three meetings before giving up. You may be surprised at how much the meetings help during your times of grief. If you are still uncomfortable after three meetings, talk to your facilitator. The facilitator can recommend other groups in the area as well as private counseling. We also have Peer parents available to talk with you on a one-to-one basis over the phone or on the internet.
Best wishes for strength.
C.