There is one word that sums up the myriad of feelings that we all are experiencing now - GRIEF.
And it’s universal grief! Some other examples of universal grief were the deaths of JFK and Princess Di, because “we knew them”. 9/11 is another example of universal grief not just because so many died in one event but we lost our sense of security as American citizens as well as the symbol of our financial center.
Because of COVID-19 we are grieving the life we knew, the routine, the normalcy, the assumptions we had lived with. There is constant, confusing and changing information thrust upon us be it from our cell phones, TV or the last person we talked with.
Normal coping skills are not working for many people. This is evident with increased numbers of suicide including an experienced and well respected doctor who was the director of the New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital Emergency Department in Manhattan. And what will the long term effect have on healthcare workers and first responders?
Domestic violence has increased as well. The abused have no place to hide.
The celebration of life cycle events like weddings, graduations, birthdays and funerals are null and void but sometimes celebrated in creative ways far from the ones we love.
I remember when airlines gave discounted fares for those traveling to a family funeral. Now the closest of family cannot enter a hospital, inpatient hospice facility or nursing home for a final goodby prior to an impending death.
At this time when we need solace, we cannot enter a church, mosque or synagogue to worship with our supportive community.
And our jobs…. the latest figure for unemployment in the US is 38.6 million.
Children and teens, particularly, are being stressed in new ways. Not only are they losing parents and grandparents but teachers, coaches and mentors. They have lost the security of daily or weekly routines. If you are looking for some support, guidance and suggestions for dealing with children/teens during this pandemic, I encourage you to visit this website: StephenGrayWallace.com for the link to his May 19th article published in “Psychology Today” entitled “Crisscross: We already had a youth mental health crisis- Now What?”
I have no answer, no advice, no conclusion….Recognizing the impact of universal grief I hope we can each attempt to understand and respect the normal/unique grief of our family and friends.
Be well.
-Harriet