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)