As if Divorce or Separation wasn't hard enough along comes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

It is undisputed that when you are going through tumultuous process of divorce, there are increased depression and despair as the holidays approach. Most people try to manage these feelings themselves. However, there is a tremendous amount of help and support for people going through a divorce, especially during the holidays.

There is a valuable website called DivorceCare.org.  On this website, you can read articles, watch videos, sign up for daily encouragement emails, and most importantly, find a local support group for yourself, and also find a support group for your children. These groups meet weekly and are free to anyone who wants to attend.  

Here are groups that meet weekly that are closest the Northville area:

• NorthRidge Church, 49555 North Territorial, Plymouth: 734-414-7777 Mondays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  (Now through 12/20/2010)

• Brighton Christian Church, 4309 Buno Road, Brighton: 810-229-4192 Tuesdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  (Now through 12/31/2010)
• Detroit World Outreach, 23800 West Chicago, Redford:  313-255-2222 Thursdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  (Now through 12/9/2010)
• Guardian Lutheran Church, 24544 Cherry Hill, Dearborn:  313-274-1414 Thursdays, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.  (Now through 12/19/2010)
• Highland Park Baptist Church, 28600 Lahser, Southfield: 248-357-5464
  Sundays, 6 p.m. -  7:30 p.m.  (Now through 12/12/2010)

On DivorceCare.org, there is also a special section for people divorcing as we move toward the holidays: DivorceCare: Surviving the Holidays.

This is a special Surviving the Holidays event, with a $5 registration fee, that features video instruction and group discussion on how to get through the holidays.

If you attend the event, you have the opportunity to talk with other people who are going through the same issues, and also receive a free Holiday Survival Guide.  Here is the session group closest to Northville:

• Sunday, December 12, 2010, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Detroit World Outreach, 23800 West Chicago, Redford: 313-255-2222

If you are going through a divorce, a separation, or are facing the holidays for the first time after a divorce, you do not have to go through these holidays alone. You also don't have to manage feelings of depression or despair by yourself. Support is out there.

The information provided in this column is not legal advice.  The information provided on this public website is provided solely for the general interest of the visitors to this website. The nformation contained in the column applies to general principles of law and may not reflect current legal developments or statutory changes in the various jurisdictions and therefore should not be relied upon or interpreted as legal advice. Reading the information contained in this column does not mean that you have established an attorney-client relationship with attorney Wendy Alton or the law firm of Fausone Bohn.  Readers of this column should not act upon any information contained in the website without first seeking the advice of legal counsel.