#Bereavement in the time of #Coronavirus

As a student #socialworker I completed a practicum in neonatal intensive care (NICU), during H1N1

#Pandemic precautions meant some families couldn’t be with their baby at time of #death

Here’s how you can help your family/friends

1/x

When someone notifies you of a death

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Show empathy (‘sorry for your loss’)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Don’t bring up your own losses
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Only offer assistance you can provide, keeping social distancing in mind (ie ‘my DMs are open’)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Don’t post about it on social media

2/x

Comforting others 1

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Meet them where they’re at - don’t force talk about loss/deceased/pandemic
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Lulls make us anxious. In silence use nonverbal comm ie eye contact/relaxed body language
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Don’t reflexively pass a tissue - it sends the message crying bothers you

3/x

Comforting others 2

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">If possible, help bereaved safely acquire something symbolic of the deceased to keep (NICU parents get a lock of hair or hand/foot imprint)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Connect with a pastor/spiritual leader/funeral home to explore final arrangement options in your area

4/x

Communications Help

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Respect that #frontliners cannot provide pre- #COVID19 standard of communication w/families
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Offer to assist w/locating/filing paperwork/applying for insurance/employment assistance
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👉🏼" title="Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Right pointing backhand index (medium light skin tone)">Offer to be family & #39;spokesperson& #39;

5/x

#COVID19 #bereaved #MutualAid