Support group for those grieving a loss makes strides at USU

Actively Moving Forward is a national non-profit organization that supports over 3,000 students on more than 200 campuses in the United States. The organization is based on the fact that one in three college students experience a death of a family member between the ages of 18 and 25.

Utah State University junior Andrea Whittier is working to bring a new chapter of this club to USU.

 “In March 2015, just a few months before I graduated from high school, my father passed away unexpectedly. Six months later I moved down to Logan and I struggled,” Whittier said. “I was still dealing with the emotions that come in response to loss. I had to figure out my own health insurance, worry about my mom who was now living all by herself, and navigate through all of the decisions of young adult life without an anchor that I’d thought I would have. Though growing up I had typically been a top student, never missing school or turning in assignments late, my school performance plummeted. I fought to overcome the feelings of being too overwhelmed to get out of bed and go to class; often, I lost the battle.”

 Whittier says that she wants other students who may feel like she did to have an outlet and receive the help that they need. The organization is made up of two parts: peer-support group and a service group. The peer support group will be meeting twice a month and the service group is open for anyone who wants to get involved, whether grieving or not.

Megan Albrechtsen | The Utah Statesman

 “College is an incredibly difficult time to grieve. Students dealing with loss or terminal illness of loved ones carry a burden that makes it difficult to feel carefree. Often, we are caught up in concerns about fulfilling new family roles, dealing with the physical and mental side effects of grief. In a place where nearly everyone you meet knows hardly anything about you, it doesn’t usually come up that you have lost someone. Yet, that is one of the primary things on grieving students’ minds. AMF is a community of people who understand and support,” Whittier said.

 Sophomore Mady Beutler was in attendance for the clubs first unofficial meeting to learn more about AMF and she says that it was “incredibly difficult” after her father passed away in 2015.

 “Right after I graduated my dad passed away in a semi-truck accident and I went to college but I didn’t know anyone and my grades tanked the second semester,” Beutler said. “I didn’t have anyone to talk to. It’s still affecting my life because my GPA isn’t what it could have been.”

Senior Megan Rasmussen joined the group to help students and help facilitate knowing that her background in social work would be beneficial.

 “I just thought that this club would be a great thing to participate in,” Rasmussen said. “Losing someone changes your whole life and grief is a whole network of feelings. This resource would have been incredible to have in my life and I want others to have that too.”

 USUSA Actively Moving Forward will be having its opening social on Tuesday, October 9, from 7-8:30 PM in Old Main 224A.

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