Support Groups

All groups meet at Mather Hospital unless otherwise indicated.

Adult-Infant-Child CPR/Basic Life Support

Mather is a designated training center for American Heart Association courses in Adult-Infant and Child CPR and BLS for healthcare providers and the community. Registration required. Dates vary. For information and registration, call Nursing Education at 631-476-2729.

Al Anon

Support group for families and friends of those with drinking problems. Registration not required. Meets every Saturday, 6:30-8:30 pm, Conference Rooms 1 & 2.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Support group for men and women with drinking problems. Registration not required. Meets:
Every Sunday, 9:30-11 am, Conference Rooms 3,4 & 5
First and third Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 pm; first Tuesday in Conference Rooms 4 & 5, third Tuesday in Conference Room 1
Every Thursday “Big Book” 8-9:30 pm; first Thursday of each month in Conference Room 1, remaining Thursdays in Conference Room 3
Every Saturday, 11 am-1 pm, Conference Rooms 1 & 2
For more  information, call the AA 24-hour hotline at 631-669-1124.

Bereavement

Mather Hospital does not have bereavement support groups. Contact the following locations for information: Good Shepherd Hospice at 631-465-6300; St. Louis de Montfort Church at 631-744-8116.

Blood Pressure Screening

Registration not required. Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm, Emergency Pavilion Triage. For information, call 631-476-2836.

Cancer Survivors

Support group for men and women who have or had any type of cancer. Families welcome. Registration not required. Meets third Thursday of every month, 6-8 pm, Conference Rooms 4 & 5. For information, call Stacey Jolley at 631-689-1635.

Congestive Heart Failure

Support group to improve the quality of life for CHF patients and their caregivers by educating them to better manage the disease, improve compliance and address their concerns. Registration required. Meets second Wednesday of every month, 1-2 pm, Conference Rooms 1 & 2. To register, call 631-476-2888. For more information, call Phyllis Macchio, ANP, at 631-473-1320, Ext. 5420.

Eating Disorders

Support group for people with eating disorders. Parents, friends and spouses welcome. Registration not required. Meets first Monday every month, 7-8:30 pm, Conference Rooms 4 & 5. For information, call Sue Morin, RN, at 631-473-3877 ext. 27.

Emotions Anonymous

A 12-step program for people with emotional problems. Registration not required. Meets every Sunday, 3-5 pm,  Conference Rooms 1 & 2.  For information, call Janet Brokow at 631-584-5604.

Families Anonymous

Support group for families dealing with problems relating to drugs, alcohol, behavioral problems and interpersonal relationships. Registration not required. Meets every Friday, 7:30-9:30 pm, Conference Rooms 1 & 2. For information, call Elyse at 631-332-2867.

Live, Love and Laugh Again

Support group for women who have breast cancer. Family members are encouraged to attend. Students permitted. Registration not required. Meets fourth Tuesday of every month, 7-9 pm, O.R. Conference Room. For information, call Stephanie Crispino, RN, at 631-476-2776.

Look Good, Feel Better

A complimentary two-hour makeover session for cancer patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. Appointment required. Dates vary. Classes are held, 6-8 pm, Conference Room 1. For dates and appointments, call Public Affairs at 631-476-2723.

Lymphedema

Support group for those who have been diagnosed with or are at high risk for lymphedema. Learn and share information about lymphedema and its management. Family members and caregivers welcome. Registration not required. For more information and meeting dates and times, call Anne Babcock or Jomar Dimanlig at 631-686-7648.

Multiple Sclerosis

Support group for those with MS, their families and care partners. Registration required. Dates vary. Meets Thursdays, 7-8:30 pm, O.R. Conference Room. For information and class dates, contact the National MS Society at 631-864-8337 or Karen Tuminello at 631-589-3901.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Central Suffolk

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. It is a self-help, not-for-profit organization run by volunteers. Registration not required. All classes meet in Conference Room 2. For information, call Deb at 631-675-6831 or John at 631-608-3073.
First Wednesday of every month, 7:30-9:30 pm
Second Wednesday of every month, peer support, 6:30-8:30 pm
Third Wednesday of every month, general support for patient, family and friends, 7:30-9:30 pm

“Newly” Diagnosed Women with Breast Cancer

Support group to help those newly diagnosed move on with their lives and make life more satisfying. Registration required. Eight-week sessions, dates vary. Classes are held on Thursdays, 5:15 – 6:45 pm, O.R. Conference Room. For dates and registration, contact Sonny Levinbook, CSW, at 631-689-1854.

Overeaters Anonymous

Support group for people with overeating problems. Registration not required. Meets:
Every Sunday, 7-9 pm, Conference Room 2 Contact (Sunday group only): David, 757-814-3592
First, second and third Monday of every month, 7:30-9:30 pm, Conference Room 1.

P.O.M.C. (Parents of Murdered Children)

A national organization that is a support network dedicated to helping survivors of homicide victims (child, spouse, sibling, relative, friend). Registration not required. Meets second Sunday of every month, 2-4 pm, Conference Rooms 4 & 5. For information, call June at 631-384-5240.

Prostate Cancer Screening

The Men’s Prostate Health Center at Mather Hospital offers free prostate cancer screening exams. Appointment necessary. Screenings are held on the third Tuesday in March, June, September and December from 4-6 pm To make an appointment, call 631-474-6030.

Prostate Cancer “Us TOO” International

Support group for men who have or had prostate cancer. Family members, friends and spouses welcome. Registration required. Meets first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9:30 pm, O.R. Conference Room. To register, call Craig Schmidt at 631-846-4377.

Reach to Recovery

A program to help patients with breast cancer cope with their diagnosis, treatment and recovery, pairing a breast cancer survivor with a recently diagnosed patient. American Cancer Society volunteers are specially trained to help the patient express feelings and verbalize fears and concerns. Contact made through a personal visit, online or a phone call, based on location. Call the ACS 24-hour phone line at 800-227-2345. 

Sleep Disorders

Various sleep disorders presented and discussed. Registration required. Class dates and times vary. For information and registration, call the Sleep Disorders Center at 631-476-2721.

Smoking Cessation

Six-week class sessions held several times throughout the year. Dates vary. Registration required. For information and registration, call Public Affairs at 631-476-2723. For information on other locations, contact The Department of Health at 631-853-2928.

Strength for Life

Provides free exercise classes for cancer patients utilizing resistance bands, stability balls and floor work. Modifications for all exercises will  be adapted to your range of motion, ability and recovery process. Medical clearance and registration required. Eight-week class sessions, dates vary. Classes held on Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm, Conference Room 3. For class dates and information, call Jacqui at 631-675-6513 or email jerrico1234@gmail.com. Visit our website at  www.strengthforlifeNY.org

STROKE:

A support group for people who have had a stroke/TIA. Spouse, friends and family welcome. Meets on the first Thursday in January, March, May, July, September and November, 3-4 pm, Conference Room 2. Registration not required. For more information, contact Joanne Lauten, RN,  at 631-686-7660.