AUSTIN, Texas -- Virtual funerals, social isolation, and quarantine define grieving for the loss of loved ones in this age of COVID-19. On top of that, many people may also be mourning the loss of life as we knew it. The global coronavirus pandemic has created a new reality marked by grief and loss. It has forced people to process both individual and collective grief in the face of an uncertain future which we are powerless to control.
Some of the things that people may be grieving as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic include:
- Job loss
- Financial anxiety
- Loss of safety
- Worry about loved ones
- Social distancing, quarantine, and feelings of isolation
- Changes in daily habits and routines
- Special plans and events that have been canceled
- Clashes with family members over how to protect yourself
- Worries about how to pay rent, utilities, and other bills
- Sadness over how the pandemic will affect the world
- Fears for the future
Spectrum News anchor Dr. Nicole Cross spoke with Marcella Hayes, the assistant program director for the Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas.
“Seeing reports of coronavirus-related death tolls is triggering people in their grief journey and causing diminished stress coping skills,” said Hayes. “Clients are also dealing with the loss of their support system,” she added.
Counselors at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas are offering virtual options to help people manage grief amid the coronavirus pandemic. Staff are uploading skill-based videos covering coping skills, gratitude, and how to manage the loss of normalcy.
Click here to access videos and additional resources provided by staff at the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.
Researchers with Psychology Today offer these additional coping strategies:
- Acknowledge that grieving at this time is more challenging than coping with loss outside a health crisis. You have additional sources of stress to contend with, so you must practice self-compassion.
- Staying connected to others is very important if you are grieving AND socially isolated. Often we don't feel like talking to others after losing a loved one. If you lack this motivation, try to book times for phone calls and video chats. Arrange these conversations as appointments you must keep. Agree on times with people in advance so you are more likely to follow through.
- Alternate between "loss" and "restorative" activities. This idea comes from the dual-process approach to grief which says that people move been loss-related activities (e.g., looking at photos of the deceased, crying, talking about the person) and restorative exercises (e.g., making plans for the future, spending time on hobbies).
- Consider minimizing the time you spend watching the news. It is sensible to be aware of major announcements by government and health officials. Outside of that, don't watch the news if it increases your stress levels.