Grief During Times of COVID

Submitted by Hospice of Marion County

Since early 2020, the entire nation has been grieving the loss of daily life as we knew it — the loss of jobs, the loss of family gatherings, sports and art activities, and for so many, the death of loved ones. It seems as though the entire world is undergoing an experience of grief. No one could have foretold the unfolding events of the coronavirus pandemic.

While loss is experienced by all of us on some level, imagine what it’s like to experience the grief of losing a loved one in the midst of this epidemic, as COVID-19 continues to sweep through our country affecting people of all ages, not just the elderly.

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we must all remember that mental health is as important as physical health. While we may not always have control over physical health, we do have options when it comes to staying grounded while undergoing the journey of grief.

That is where the Monarch Center for Hope & Healing can help. The center has been offering counseling for individuals, families and groups for more than a decade. Programs are offered for adults, teens and children at no charge to Marion County residents who are experiencing the loss of a loved one. Their message is that loss of control over external events does not mean loss of everyone’s wealth of inner strengths. The staff guides people in understanding that grief is natural and necessary to healing. It’s essential to feel the pain, not suppress it.

Community Awareness Manager and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Jessica McCune provides a presentation on Soul Injury, a program that originated with Opus Peace; it reminds people that you cannot heal what you cannot feel. The Monarch Center has developed ways of expressing loss through creative pursuits in art, journaling and writing. These techniques can still work with people through various means of communication to help them through this difficult time.

Hospice of Marion County’s Monarch Center for Hope and Healing has trained professionals with the expertise to guide adults, children and teens through a process of understanding the grief they are experiencing towards healthy outcomes and behaviors. Through its programs of sharing memories, emotions and strategies for coping with others who are also grieving, it can be especially helpful in healing and recovery for those suffering the loss of a loved one.

Support for families include at least 13 months of follow-up by staff and volunteers specially trained in bereavement support, including phone calls, personal visits with one-on-one assessment, mail out literature and resource coordination if needed, all at the personal request of the bereaved.

The Monarch Center’s staff is able to work with bereaved families and individuals via in-person meetings with masks and social distancing required, via phone, email or teleconferencing.

Visit our website at: https://www.monarchcenter-marion.com to learn more or give us a call (352) 873-7456.