The Weekly Exchange: Session 6 Topic: Supporting Staff and Participants with Grief Facilitators: Ginger Haggerty, Senior Associate & Shereen Russel, Outreach Coordinator

Future Topics: 5/12: Maintaining Boundaries 5/19: COVID-19 as a public health concern with Dr. Charlie Homer

What does grief look like?

• Loss of normalcy and routine, uncertainty
• Loss of in-person connections
• Change in behavior and responses
• Grief is not just associated with death, but any type of loss
• Talking about the stages of grief
  • Denial, bargaining, anger, sadness, acceptance, making meaning
  • It comes in wave and there is no time frame – important to recognize

What are some ways people have been displaying their grief?

• Shutting down, feeling numb and adrift
• Shifts in attitude
• Shorter tempers
• Losing track of time
• Crying, sadness
• Feeling out of control
• Feelings of grief can impact you physically

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Referenced Resources

• Quarantine 2020: It’s OK to Grieve from Psychology Today talks about the five stages of grief and what we can offer others when they are sad about missing friends, activities, school, milestones, etc.
• The 5 Stages of Grief lists the five stages, provides an explanation for each, and lists resources pertaining to the stages.
• Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990) provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
• Grief and Loss: Theories and Skills for the Helping Professions, by Katherine Walsh, provides a variety of case examples applying theory to practice when working with those dealing with grief and loss and allows readers to see how essential theories and skills will enhance their own practice.