CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The holiday season can be a joyful time for many, but for those grieving the loss of a loved one — especially to a substance-related death — it can also bring feelings of sadness, loneliness and emotional pain.
To help provide support and healing during this difficult season, Adventist Health Clear Lake is hosting “Holding Space: Grief Support Group,” a free community program designed to offer compassion, understanding and guidance.
The group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in Building F on the Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital campus (lower level parking lot) on Dec. 16.
The session is open to anyone in the community who has experienced the loss of a loved one due to a substance-related death, regardless of when the loss occurred.
Led by experienced facilitators from Adventist Health Clear Lake, the group provides a safe and supportive environment where participants can:
• Share their experiences and connect with others who understand their grief;
• Learn healthy coping strategies for navigating the emotional challenges of the holiday
season;
• Discover meaningful ways to honor and remember loved ones during the holidays;
• Receive comfort and encouragement from others walking a similar path.
“The holidays can amplify grief and make people feel more isolated,” said Fiona Bullock, palliative care social worker at Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Our goal is to create a caring space where individuals can talk openly about their loss, find comfort in shared understanding, and learn gentle ways to care for themselves through the season.”
The program is free of charge, and refreshments will be served.
No registration is required.
For more information, please call 707-995-5817.
The California Department of Public Health, or CDPH, in an effort to assist Californians seeking help and support in response to the nationwide outbreak of infant botulism has opened a public-facing hotline for concerned parents and caregivers with questions about infant botulism.
The public can reach CDPH directly toll-free at 1-833-398-2022.
The public hotline, which is live now, is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Trained public health staff will be able to provide answers and information for concerned members of the public with questions about the current outbreak.
CDPH’s medical staffing line for health care providers and other medical professionals continues to operate 24/7.
Infant Botulism Outbreak Hotline
1-833-398-2022
Monday – Sunday, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. PST
Public health investigation
CDPH helped identify an outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Infant Formula. State public health officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other states to investigate the outbreak.
The U.S. Food and Drug Branch announced that ByHeart had initiated a nationwide recall of all of its infant formula product.
CDPH and federal officials have recommended that anyone with ByHeart infant formula stop using it immediately and report any signs s of infant botulism to their health care provider as soon as possible.
Infant botulism
Infant botulism is the form of botulism which results when swallowed spores of a particular bacterium (Clostridium botulinum) colonize a baby's large intestine and produce botulinum toxin in it. Botulinum toxin causes muscle weakness because it blocks the nerve ending's ability to communicate with muscles. If left untreated, the condition can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
Resources for more information
CDPH Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
CDPH Frequently Asked Questions about Infant Botulism
Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Infant Formula (CDC November 2025)
Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, (FDA November 2025)