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

