Support Groups

What is a Brain Injury Support Group?

A brain injury support group is a gathering of people who have experienced brain injury (either first-hand or second-hand, such as a family member), who come together for self-expression and encouragement. The group provides a forum for emotional expression within a nurturing environment.

While each group must develop its own identity and membership composition, the most important considerations are 1) identifying who can benefit as a result of participating in a support group and 2) determining how the composition of the constituents can benefit the group as a whole.

A brain injury support group is NOT formal, professional therapy.

Why Have a Brain Injury Support Group?

• Emotional healing comes through interpersonal contact.
• Sharing of similar experiences helps members feel less isolated and more empowered to deal with daily challenges.
• Encouragement comes from learning about the achievements of others who have overcome similar difficulties.
• Contribution helps support group members feel useful and gives meaning to their lives.
• Education results from the exchange of information and personal experiences.
• Socialization establishes and maintains important connections with people and enhances confidence in social skills.
• Self-expression, as emotions are experienced and released, creates a greater understanding of oneself and one's capabilities.
• Confidence building results as members self-direct the support group and work on the problems they all have in common.
• Safety, in the context of a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental environment, allows for honest self-expression and confidence building.
• A sense of growth occurs as long-term members see new participants and reminisce about where they began and how far they have come in their personal journey.

(Brain Injury Association of America)

Support Group Listing in West Virginia

Brain Injury Group (BIG) of the Eastern Panhandle

• Where: Berkeley Medical Center
  Meeting Room 1
  2500 Hospital Drive
  Martinsburg, WV 25401
• When: 2nd Monday every month from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Contact: Sara Hitchings 304-596-3550 – wvepbig@gmail.com
• Facebook: Brain Injury Group of the Eastern Panhandle-WV

Brain Injury Group (BIG) at Marshall

• Where: Marshall University
  311 Smith Hall
  Huntington, WV 25755
• When: Last Wednesday every month from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
• Contact: Carrie Childers 304-696-2984 - childersca@marshall.edu
  Kelly Rutherford 304-696-2982 - davis139@marshall.edu
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonBIG

Brain Injury Group (BIG) of Southern WV

• Where: 101 South Eisenhower (FMRS Building) Beckley, WV 25801
• When: 3rd Tuesday every month from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Contact: PO Box 5, Beckley, WV 25801
  Teresa Harvey (304-575-5995)
  Shannon Hughart (304-222-1132)
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/braininjurywv

Brain Injury Support Group

• Where: HealthSouth Mountainview
  1160 Van Voorhis Road
  Morgantown, WV 26505
• When: Please contact Mary Burleson for details
• Contact: Mary Burleson 304-598-1100 - mary.burleson@healthsouth.com

Mid-Ohio Valley Brain Injury Support and Information Group

• Where: JCDC Parkersburg Office
  709 Division Street, #4
  Parkersburg, WV 26101
• When: 4th Tuesday each month from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Contact: Sara Rose 304-273-9311 x307 - srose@jcdcworks.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MOVBIG

Start a Support Group

If you are interested in starting a TBI support group in your area, please contact TBI@hsc.wvu.edu.