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[Animation and podcasts] Coping with bereavement due to COVID-19
Very sadly, an increased number of people across the country have lost loved ones in recent weeks. Grief and loss are extremely difficult experiences in any circumstances, and the current situation with COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions presents particular challenges to anyone who is facing a bereavement. This applies to anyone in the wider population but also to frontline health and care staff, who may be coping with the loss of colleagues, patients or care home residents while continuing to do their vital work.
In the two podcast episodes below, myself and three mental health professionals at Bupa discuss how people may be affected by bereavement and loss in the current climate, and what may help you to cope. You can also watch the animation below about the different ways in which people may experience feelings of grief, and what may help.
Is it normal to struggle with bereavement?
Feeling grief about losing someone we
love is a natural part of life, and it happens to all of us at some point.
The death of a loved one is recognized
as the most stressful thing people
ever face in life, but there are many
types of loss which can cause grief.
Such as the loss of a job, the loss
of a relationship after a separation.
Or the loss of health after a disabling
injury or illness, reactions to grief
can include feelings of shock and
disbelief, confusion, anger, guilt,
sadness, difficulty sleeping
and the loss of appetite.
It's true that there is no
right or wrong way to grieve.
However, there are a number of self-care
steps that can help you work
through the grief.
Such as making
time to talk to other people and
trying not to keep things bottled up.
Remembering and sharing happy
memories of your loved one.
Eating properly and getting enough rest;
even if you can't sleep.
If you're
physically able to getting up and out
of your home for some exercise can help.
Even if it is just doing some
gardening or going for a walk.
And make sure you allow
yourself to grieve.
It's okay to be upset and
there's no time limits on it.
After all the best prescription
for grief is to grieve.
It's important to note that some
people find that their reactions
to grief don't gradually get better
and may even be getting worse.
This is called complicated or
prolonged grief and happens in
around one in every 10 bereavements.
you feel like you've become
stuck and you can't move on,
your doctor may suggest a talking
therapy like counselling or
cognitive behavioural therapy.
Remember, you don't need to feel guilty
or embarrassed about asking for specific
help from friends, family, colleagues, or
your GP. To find out more about how Bupa
and other organizations can support you.
Visit our website.
Whatever's on your mind.
We can help.
Podcast: For anyone experiencing loss of a loved one
The first episode below is aimed at anyone coping with the loss of a loved one, or anyone who would like to support them. It also touches on the broader feelings of loss that many people are feeling right now – the sense of a loss of normality, be it due to a change in your lifestyle, your job, or which members of your family you are able to see right now. In this episode I’m joined by Erika-Gati Howe, a Telephone Counsellor on Bupa's Employee Assistance Programme with a background in bereavement therapy, to discuss these feelings and techniques for coping.
Podcast: For frontline healthcare workers
The second episode below is aimed at frontline workers in any health or care setting. Health and care staff are being affected by the loss of patients, residents, colleagues and loved ones due to COVID-19. Here, counsellor and Bupa Employee Assistance Programme manager Jennifer Taylor is joined by Helen Storey, Oncology Counsellor at the Bupa Cromwell Hospital, to discuss these feelings and what may help.
Bereavement support organisations
- Cruse Bereavement Care
www.cruse.org.uk
0808 808 1677 - Marie Curie
mariecurie.org.uk
0800 090 2309 - Child Bereavement UK
childbereavementuk.org
0800 02 888 40 - Mind
mind.org.uk
0300 123 3393 - Samaritans
samaritans.org
116 123
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