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
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.
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
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
Group 2: New Directions Group
Subsequent Infants or Surviving Multiples are welcome to attend with their parents at this group only .
Date: First Tuesday 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 - RSVP 630-305-7300 X13
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 312-745-0081 or 773-485-1111
Rockford Group
Rockford - Healing Hearts Support Group
Date: 3rd Monday of Each Month
Time: 7:00
Meeting Place: QMI Building
415 N. 4th Street
Rockford, Il 61107
Contact: Haven Network - 815-962-1512
Quad City Group
Group meets the second or third week, Wednesday or Thursday
at 7:00 p.m. For information call Jenny (563) 285-5046.
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: 217-525-5675
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 314-822-2323
All These Groups can NOT accommodate childern
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
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.
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