Rise & Renew: Supporting Well-Being in Black Women After the Loss of a Loved One

This study is testing a new grief support program called Rise \& Renew (Remembering, Expressing, Navigating, Embracing, Witnessing) designed for Black women ages 40 and older who have experienced the loss of a close loved one, such as a spouse or significant other, parent, or child (including pregnancies). The program includes a weekend wellness retreat followed by 10 weeks of online group support. Participants will be randomly assigned to start weekly virtual sessions right away or after a 10-week delay. The study will help the investigators learn whether the program is helpful, easy to take part in, and meaningful for those who attend. The investigators believe that a culturally tailored program that focuses on healing, wellness, and community will improve emotional health, spiritual well-being, and resilience during the grief process.

Inclusion Criteria: * Self-identifies as a Black or African American woman * Aged 40 years or older at the time of enrollment * Has experienced the death of a spouse, parent, or child (first-order bereavement) * Resides in the U.S. South Region, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia * Has access to a reliable internet connection and a device capable of running Zoom * Is able to attend a 2-day in-person retreat in the Stone Mountain, GA area * Is able and willing to participate in 10 weekly virtual group sessions * Provides informed consent to participate in the study * Agrees to complete pre- and post-intervention surveys Exclusion Criteria: * Has not experienced the death of a spouse, parent, or child * Under the age of 40 at the time of enrollment * Does not reside in the U.S. South Region * Unable to attend the in-person retreat in Stone Mountain, GA * Unwilling or unable to participate in weekly Zoom sessions * Does not have access to the necessary technology for virtual sessions * Does not provide informed consent * Currently receiving intensive psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment that would conflict with participation * Any condition or circumstance that, in the opinion of the investigators, may compromise the participant's ability to safely engage in the group setting