TBI Support Groups

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

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)