Emotional support groups for issues related to social isolation and other issues that have caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic are being offered online for free by the state-run MassSupport Network through Feb. 18.
The programs are designed to teach coping strategies for common emotional challenges of the pandemic, said Jen Matoney, a MassSupport ccounselor for the Western Massachusetts region.
Grief, loneliness, “brain fog” and anxiety about catching or spreading COVID-19 are major themes that appear in counselors’ work lately, Matoney said.
“Our intent with these groups is to bring people together who are experiencing similar circumstances,” she said.
Individual groups focus on people feeling isolated, COVID-19 survivors, parents and guardians of children going to school remotely, and health workers. Discussions in the groups are confidential.
The programs and registration links for those programs, held via the videoconferencing platform Zoom, are publicized through MassSupport’s Facebook page. Registration is only for a single group session, and does not obligate you to meet with the group more than once.
All the programs are free. Registration closes at 5 p.m. the day before the program.
Individual counseling sessions are also available online through MassSupport.
Matoney said future programs that may be scheduled will be announced through the Facebook page as well.
Reach Max Marcus at
mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.
