Grief, Memorials, and Loss through COVID-19: Resources for caring while physical distancing
Community Engaged Research
Overview
Overview
abstract
Responding to grief in marked and meaningful ways is an effective way of dealing with loss and achieving a sense of closure. In the case of rapid and intense social change, people often feel an exacerbated sense of loss and disempowerment. This can magnify anxieties and regrets, worsening negative thinking and problematic behaviours. The COVID-19 epidemic poses unique challenges regarding the ability for people to respond to loss, grief, providing care, and being supportive, sympathetic or empathetic, especially given the demands of isolation and physical distancing. In response to these needs, our research team has partnered with community organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association of Hamilton (CMHA) to develop online resources designed to support people coping with the infection, those dealing with loss and grief and to share alternatives to social gatherings for memorials after the loss of a family member, colleague or friend. Resources emerging from this project will attend to the issue of equity and accessibility by incorporating contributions and suggestions of service providers and cultural, religious and spiritual leaders. The resources will be available in accessible formats, in multiple languages and will be shared by health professionals, social service providers, public institutions, the private sector, and the general public.
