Essentia-St.Mary's Grief Support Services (GSS), an umbrella for various support programs and services, is located within the Social Service Department at Essentia-SMMC. GSS provides a comprehensive program of counseling, support, advocacy, education, and research for individuals who are dealing with, or affected by, an impending death or who are bereaved. Programs and services are not only for adults, parents, and children throughout the Duluth, MN, and Superior, WI. area and region, but also for health and educational institutions, community members and specialized groups in Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and Northern Michigan. Originally developed in January, 1985 as an extension of St. Mary's Medical Center's mission and services, it was the first of its kind in the United States. Today, GSS is serving not only the needs of Essentia-SMMC staff, patients and their families, but has developed a reputation of being a program serving the entire region.