Background: I held structured group therapy for the bereaved who have lost their patient to cancer using an original manual that is based on “the manual of group therapy for cancer patients(version 3)”(Hosaka,2008).

Aim: Aim of this study is to investigate mental health of the bereaved on pre-post group therapy.

Methods:Participants of group therapy: Bereaved family members who have lost their patients to cancer in the palliative care unit of my hospital within the past 6-11 months from the date of the group therapy. Schedule of group therapy: from 31/1/2008 to 26/12/2009. The number of participants per group: from 4 to 9. The number of sessions and time of 1 session: Once, I held 5 sessions for 1 group (90 minutes per session) but I changed 5 sessions to 3 sessions for 1 group (180 minutes per session) because it was difficult to gather participants on 5 sessions. I held 3 sessions of group therapy thrice.

Facilitators: clinical psychologist, palliative care doctor

Contents of group therapy: discussion, psycho-education and relaxation

Questionnaire: Items of question about physical and mental health after bereavement, GRS (Grief Response Scale), GHQ28 (General Health Questionnaire) and POMS (the Profile of Mood States)

Results and Conclusion:From GRS, GHQ and POMS scores, the effectiveness of group therapy is both promoting grief because scores of grief reaction, somatic symptoms, fatigue, anxiety and insomnia rose in some participants after recalling suppressed emotions and solving grief because the score of solving grief rose and group therapy reduced scores of anxiety, depression, fatigue and anger in some participants. Some widowers experienced difficulties and stress in cooking so I suggested cooking books for males to them. Providing concrete information to the bereaved family is also necessary. From free comments, participants could share their feelings, relax and be encouraged.