Resources gathered by Wendy Bulthuis MSW, RSW, Clinical Social Worker
Portage Medical Family Health Team
Understanding Grief in the Age of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Covid 19 Pandemic has been and continues to be a period of time that is marked by both collective and individual loss. It can be hard and a little scary to turn toward our own experiences of loss, as well as acknowledging the losses of people that we care about. The following resources provide some guidance in paying attention to this important human experience. When we are able to name the feelings and reactions associated with loss we can begin to understand the steps we can take to heal ourselves and each other.
Grief in the Age of the Covid-19 Pandemic
https://www.verywellmind.com/understanding-grief-in-the-age-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-4801931
https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/loss-and-grief-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
Grief can be a reaction to events other than death.
Types of losses:
Loss of a job
Loss of social connection
Loss of or harm to relationships
Academic loss
Loss experienced by health care providers
Loss of rituals and routines
Loss of mental health support
Understanding Grief Reactions to Guide Healing
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19/loss-grief-and-healing
Grief reactions can include:
- shock, disbelief and confusion
- anger
- trouble concentrating and focusing on tasks
- altered patterns of eating and sleeping
- physical changes such as dizziness, headaches or upset stomach
- sadness and yearning
- memories and thoughts about who or what has been lost
- withdrawing from usual activities.
Only by acknowledging the grief we’re going through can we take steps to heal
Center for Mindful Self-Compassion:
Self-Compassion Practices for COVID 19: https://centerformsc.org/10-self-compassion-practices-for-covid-19/
Guided Meditations and Exercises: https://centerformsc.org/practice-msc/guided-meditations-and-exercises/