W

hen Huntington Woods
native Samantha Ruth
unexpectedly lost her hus-
band, Jim, in 2017, she found herself
grieving with nowhere to turn. Not
even a pamphlet was offered to help
her navigate her grief and the steps to
follow after losing a spouse.
As a licensed psychol-
ogist, Ruth, 51, and a
Colorado resident since
2014, knew something
must be done. She
couldn’t be the only one
struggling to find support
for grief that went beyond
a one-hour therapy session once a
week, with no support in between
those sessions.
There had to be a greater thera-
peutic outlet, she realized, a rehab for
people who are grieving — a program
with a step-by-step guide to healing.
From there, the nonprofit Griefhab
was born.
Launched in 2021, Griefhab offers
a tailored approach to grieving that’s
customized to each person’s individual
needs. The program was built around
Ruth’s professional background and

the gaps in available support she per-
sonally witnessed when grieving the
death of her husband.
Rather than waiting until next
week’s therapy appointment, Griefhab
offers unlimited access to Ruth’s sup-
port so clients can talk about, cope
and heal from whatever is on their
mind.
Griefhab covers topics seldom
talked about when grieving, such as
navigating death certificates, closing
accounts, talking to your boss or chil-
dren’s teachers, and even simple mat-
ters like finding help with everyday
housework. At Griefhab, everything is
on the table.
“If it’s planning the funeral, if it’s
finding a nutritionist and getting a
meal plan, there’s just so many things,
”
Ruth says of the grieving process and
lack of resources. “The gaps are huge.
”

A 360-DEGREE APPROACH
After Ruth’s lived experience, she
understood that no one should strug-
gle through grief alone.
She’s worked with at-risk youth,
suicide, substance abuse and trauma
cases throughout her entire career, but

after entering the world as someone
grieving, she experienced firsthand
how the burden of finding resources
falls on those who are grieving (and
already overwhelmed).
“I don’t understand why I’m the
only person making a fuss about this,
”
she says of the gap Griefhab aims to
fill. “My goal is to provide support and
resources for everyone struggling.
”
Ruth, who grew up attending
Temple Emanu-El, also hosts grief
workshops and retreats to help people
heal from grief. Since she’s based near
the Rocky Mountains, retreats are held
in scenic surroundings where those
who are grieving have an opportunity
to heal through nature.
Ruthless in the Rockies Retreats
include sunrise walks, sunset yoga,
sound healing and reiki.
“People come from all over,
” Ruth
says. “Eventually, I want my own land
for these retreats.
”

NAVIGATING THE
HOLIDAY SEASON
Yet Griefhab isn’t only available in
Colorado. Ruth has created a vir-
tual approach accessible to people

nationwide, including in Michigan.
Griefhab’s upcoming Healing Together
Through the Holidays program will
take place virtually from Dec. 2-8 and
is free to join.
Held in honor of National Grief
Awareness Week at a time that’s often
one of the most difficult for people
who have experienced loss — the holi-
day season — the second-annual event
will feature keynote speakers and
experts, interactive healing sessions
and community support.
“We’re going to discuss all of the
ways people can heal if they don’t want
to go to therapy or if they’re afraid of
the stigma,
” says Ruth, who talks about
her late husband, Jim, every day.
She hopes others will walk away
inspired to share their grief and to not
shy away from the pain.
Those who can’t join the live Zoom
sessions can also watch recorded pro-
grams at home.
Healing Together Through the
Holidays is intended for grieving
individuals, caregivers and supporters,
mental health advocates, and thera-
pists, coaches and professional healers.
There will also be a virtual pre-event
on Nov. 27 for those who don’t want to
wait until the December holiday
season to begin their healing process.
“There’s rehab for everything else,”
Ruth says. “Now we’re filling that
gap.”

For more information about Griefhab, visit

https://griefhab.com. To register for Healing

Together Through the Holidays, visit eventbrite.

com/e/healing-together-through-the-

holidays-registration-735880356957?aff=

oddtdtcreator.

OUR COMMUNITY

18 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2024
J
N

Samantha
Ruth

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY

Grief
ab of
ers
24/7 access to
support for those
who are grieving.

OUR COMMUNITY

Grief
ab of
ers

A Rehab for
A Rehab for