WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsGrief Therapy Workshop for Haitian Community

Grief Therapy Workshop for Haitian Community

Lauren Brown
Eyewitness News Reporter

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WRCB) -- Families here worry for their loved ones in Haiti and grieve for the dead.  Hospice of Chattanooga offers support to the Haitian community this difficult time.

For many Haitians living in Chattanooga it's the fear of the unknown.  Many of the people at the support group are still waiting to hear if their loved ones are alive.  And for others, just seeing the devastation in their homeland is heartbreaking.

It's a time to express what they're feeling about the tragedy in Haiti.  Barbara Valmont knew the process would be difficult that's why she asked for help from the Hospice of Chattanooga.

"I think it's important for us you to have some mental support so I called Susan," said Barbara Valmont.

"She and I had worked five years ago at a very sad situation. She remembered me and she asked that we come cause she knew we could provide some good resources," said Susan Latta, Hospice of Chattanooga, Bereavement Director.

Many of Valmont's relatives are still in Haiti and survived but she knows how hard it is for them right now.

"It was just overwhelming. It was very sad to watch on the news and you know see all of our people just there on the street, some of the kids screaming and just the hurt. I mean we hurt with them too," said Valmont.

Valmont only wishes she could do more to help.

"It's been just heartbreaking. We feel just you know helpless. We're here and they're there," said Valmont.

"Each person, even though they may not know it they will know what they need to do and allowing them the space and giving them permission to grieve however is best for them whatever works best for them," said Latta.

"I believe that in order for me to be effective in what I'm gonna be doing I have to get help myself so yeah that's why we're doing this support group now," said Valmont.

Valmont says having the support group really helped her express how she was feeling and helped her get through this difficult time.

She hopes tonight will help when she travels to Haiti in March for a mission trip.  Hospice of Chattanooga says there could be more support groups in the future.