- Traumatic bereavement - If someone dies of coronavirus, it may be particularly traumatic for family and friends especially if you didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye in person.
- Coping with loss as restrictions ease - In the UK some lockdown restrictions put in place due to Covid-19 are easing. But for many people life will never be as it was. It can be very hard to feel that other people are celebrating new freedoms when you feel worse than ever.
- When someone dies – Marie Curie - Losing somebody close affects everyone differently. Through work with the family and friends of those living with terminal illness, Marie Curie has gathered a range of resources to help you cope emotionally as well as handle the practical side of losing someone close to you.
- Child Death Helpline - The Child Death Helpline is staffed by volunteers, all of them bereaved parents. All volunteers are trained, supervised and supported by professional teams within Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. The helpline is a partnership between professionals and parents working together to provide a professional service to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.
Bereavement support
The death of a loved one or someone you know is often a very intimate and painfully private moment in life. During the Covid-19 pandemic, it has often felt very much in the spotlight and with the day-to-day stresses and worries around the pandemic, grieving can be very difficult especially if you’re caring for others and trying to ensure they are okay.
Being bereaved can be a lonely time and isolation due to the current situation can make it more difficult.
How you can help yourself
Talking things through with friends and family can be very comforting. This can be done remotely if you or they are isolating.
If you are feeling very distressed, share your feelings with someone you trust. If feelings persist your GP is usually the first port of call for access to more specialist services. At the present time there may be some additional delays here if GPs are under pressure from the pandemic. You can also contact Cruse for advice on the next steps.
It can help to think of ways you can remember the person who has died and keep them as part of your life. This might mean keeping a few special possessions, creating a memory box or special album of pictures, or organising a time for family and friends to come together and remember.
How you can help another person
Try to stay in contact with bereaved friends and family (even if you cannot visit in person if you or they are isolating). Let them talk about how they are feeling and about the person who has died – talking can be one of the most helpful things after someone dies. If you are worried they are experiencing very severe symptoms or flashbacks you could suggest they contact Cruse or their GP for further advice and support.
Who can use the Resilience Hub?
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Resilience Hub is intended as a support resources for all public sector workers and volunteers who have worked through the Covid-19 pandemic and their families.
This includes everyone from those who work in the NHS, local authorities and councils, ambulance service staff, care home workers, those working in social care and community workers.
We are hoping that the Hub will eventually be able to operate as a resource for everyone who has felt the psychological strain of Covid-19.
Do you want to talk to someone?
We're here to talk and offer the support you need.