COVID Grief: Social Support & Acceptance
Social Support & Acceptance as a Protective Factor:
After the death of a person in our life, it is normal to look to family, friends, and community for acknowledgment and acceptance. We feel embraced and seen when society provides space to honor the death and grieving process. Having open conversations on the topic of death in addition to social support can decrease stigma while increasing the likelihood of a natural adaptation to this challenging life event.
COVID’s Impact:
We live in a death denying society that often minimizes the impact of grief. This lack of communal support combined with the polarization of COVID has further impacted those grieving the death of someone from COVID, and a stigma has emerged. This stigma is often expressed in the form of hurtful comments, beliefs, and theories negatively impacting grieving children and families. Many families have experienced their COVID grief invalidated publicly or treated as unworthy, isolating them from supportive networks. When a person’s death is controversial or minimized, as is the case with COVID, this is also called disenfranchised grief.
What to Do – suggestions for the bereaved:
- Remember that you are not alone. COVID Survivors for Change is a non-partisan nationwide community of people who have been directly impacted by COVID. This is a place to share stories, support one another, and advocate for a stronger pandemic response.
- Talk openly and without judgement about death and dying. Avoid euphemisms “loss, passed away, they are in a better place” and provide simple and honest explanations when possible. Seven Suggestions for Explaining Death to Children provides concrete examples on how to have these conversations with young individuals.
- Work with educators, coaches, and community leaders to prevent and reduce stigma. This article provides activities, sample scripts, and tools to respond effectively to stigmatizing comments about COVID-related deaths.
- Recognize how this stigma has impacted your grief and reach out for help. Visit the National Bereavement Resource Guide (NBRG) to find counseling and support groups in your area. The Eluna Resource Center is also here to provide personalized support and identify local resources and camps for children and families.
- Consider a COVID Loss Camp. Eluna’s Camp Erin Family Camps as well as Comfort Zone Camp hold both in-person and virtual camp programs designed specifically for children, young adults, and parents/guardians who have experienced a death due to COVID.
This is one protective factor of a series. For the comprehensive resource click here: COVID Grief: Protective Factors & the Impact of the Pandemic
This resource is made possible through a partnership with the Brave of Heart Fund, founded by the foundations of New York Life and Cigna, and administered by E4E Relief.
