When people need to share their troubles, they often talk about them with family or friends – during social events or over coffee. It helps them cope.
Many also turn to organized support groups.

Monongahela Valley Hospital has those kind of support groups to address many of your healthcare concerns.

The hospital’s support groups offer valuable information on a variety of topics. Complementing the educational aspect of those groups is the idea of People Helping People. There is emotional – as well as physical – support. The goals are to help participants see that feelings are shared and that they can lead to normal lives. This approach is taken with all of Monongahela Valley Hospital’s support groups with are free, open to the public and meet at the hospital’s Education Conference Center.

Meanwhile, Healthy Directions, Monongahela Valley Hospital’s health education and resource center in Finleyville, offers a Lupus Support Group which meets the first Friday of each month. It also is free and open to all persons with lupus or related illnesses and their families.
Healthcare professionals from the Monongahela Valley Hospital direct the support groups and speakers offer programs on various topics.

Adult CPR Class
This CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) class is presented by certified CPR instructors and is open to all persons interested in learning adult CPR. There is a $30 fee payable to the Valley Health & Safety Training Center. The fee must be paid in advance. To register, call 684-9536.

Adult First Aid
This class is open to all persons interested in learning First Aid and will be taught by certified First Aid instructors. Advance registration is required and the $25 fee is payable in advance to Valley Health & Safety Training Center. To register, call 684-9536.

Arthritis Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons with arthritis or related illnesses. For more information, call 258-1500.

Baby and Me Sibling Class
The Baby and Me Sibling Preparation class is for children and their expectant parents to prepare the youngsters for the arrival of a new baby brother or sister. For more information, call the Maternity Department at 258-1400.

Better Breathers Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons with respiratory problems.
For more information, call 258-1109.

Breast Cancer Support Group
This support group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. For more information, call 258-1210.

Breastfeeding Support Group
This support group is free and open to all women interested in breastfeeding their newborn children. For more information, call the Maternity Department at 258-1400.

Cancer Support Group
This support group is free and open to all cancer patients and their families. For additional information, call the Nursing Department at 258-1210.

Caregivers Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons who provide care to their homebound elderly relatives and friends and who need more information and skills to support their care giving roles. For more information, call 258-1015.

Childbirth Preparation Class
Prenatal Education series for pregnant women. For more information,
call the Maternity Department at 258-1400.

Congestive Heart Failure
This support group is free and open to all persons who suffer from congestive heart failure. For more information, call 258-1300.

Diabetes Support Group
This Diabetes Support Group helps patients and their families balance their lives and take a positive approach to Living with Diabetes. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 258-1148.

Infant/Child CPR Class
This class will be presented by CPR instructors and is open to all persons interested in learning Infant CPR. There is a $30 fee payable to the Valley Health & Safety Training Center. The fee must be paid in advance. To register, call 684-9536.

Infant/Child First Aid
This class is open to all persons interested in learning First Aid for children and infants and will be taught by certified First Aid instructors. Advance registration is required and the $25 fee is payable to Valley Health & Safety Training Center. To register, call 684-9536.

Lupus Support Group
This support group helps patients and families better understand lupus. The group meets monthly at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Healthy Directions in Finleyville. For more information, call 348-6699.

Ostomy Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and their families and friends. For more information, call 258-1210.

Prostate Cancer Support Group
This support group is free and open to all prostate cancer patients and their families. For additional information, call 258-3040.

Renal Support Group
This support group is free and open to all patients and their families with diseases or disorders of the kidneys. For more information, call 258-1601.

Schizophrenia Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons interested in this mental illness. For more information, call 258-1200.

Special Family & Friends Support Group
This support group helps parents with special needs children create a balanced family environment. This support group is free and open to the public. To register, call 258-1435.

Stroke Support Group
This support group is free and open to all persons recovering from strokes and their families. For more information, call 258-1080.

Lifestyles of the Fit and Healthy
This series, open to the public, is designed for obtaining optimal health with an emphasis on healthy eating, stress management and physical fitness. A cost is involved and advance registration is required. Additional information is available by calling 258-1148.