Grief Related to the Impact of COVID-19

A lot has happened in a relatively short time. You may be missing your friends, sports, school, and how your life was before the pandemic started. It’s normal to miss things right now, especially when almost every area of life is impacted. Some of what you may be feeling is called grief. Grief isn’t just related to death. It can be for other big things and even small things. Grief is the emotions you feel over a loss or change. It can impact people differently but there are some common stages people go through known as the “Stages of Grief.” The stages may come in any order and intensity.

STAGES OF GRIEF

• Denial is when you struggle to accept what has happened. Denial may look like:
  • Ignoring the issue
  • Avoidance
  • Shock
  • Fear
  • Refusing to talk about it
  • Feeling numb

• Anger is an emotion you may feel when you are upset and feeling out of control. Anger may look like:
  • Frustration
  • Agitation
  • Anxiety
  • Outbursts
  • Yelling
  • Feeling powerless
  • Arguing with others

• Bargaining is when something in your mind thinks that if you had done something differently or better, then this wouldn’t have happened. Thoughts that may come along with the bargaining stage:
  • If I had been a better person (son, daughter, grandmother, father, friend, etc.) then this wouldn’t have happened
  • If I hadn’t done that, then none of this would have happened
  • If I could have more time, I would do things differently

• Depression can show up as very intense sadness and might look like:
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Increased or decreased appetite
  • Fatigue/feeling tired or exhausted
  • Crying spells
  • Feeling empty or lost
  • Anxious
  • Loneliness
  • Losing interest in what you normally like
  • Isolating from friends and family
  • Poor hygiene
  • Suicidal thoughts (Please get immediate help if you are feeling this way)**

• Acceptance is when you come to terms with your emotions and feelings over the loss or change. Signs you may be experiencing acceptance:
  • Feeling like your old self
  • Getting a routine going
  • Taking better care of yourself
  • Coping better
  • Being able to move forward

**If you are feeling suicidal, seek immediate help by calling 911, going to the nearest emergency room, or calling 1-800-273-8255

If you are struggling with grief and need help Care Solace is available. It’s a SIMPLE, FAST and SAFE Tool for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Help. Click here to begin https://caresolace.com/site/alvordfamilies/