Grief & Loss from the Pandemic

Submitted by Penny Hogan and Jan Campbell, Co-Presidents, Calgary and Surrounding Area Chapter, March 6, 2023.

At our March 2, 2023, luncheon, Calgary, and Area Chapter hosted a guest speaker, Dr. Christine Knight, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Calgary. Dr. Knight’s presentation titled “Dealing with Grief and Loss from the Pandemic” addressed the grief and loss we all have been experiencing, as we have moved through COVID. Many changes, many health scares, many adaptations, but who knew to name it as loss and grief? During Dr. Knight’s presentation, our eyes were opened to the apt phrase, “You need to name it, to tame it”.

These past years, we may not have all been in the same boat; however, we have definitely been riding out the same COVID storm. In normal times, we all weigh anchor and cruise through life’s voyage. Using this cruise ship analogy, Dr. Knight reminded us that there are things we definitely can control (our choice of berth on the ship), but there are things we cannot control (the weather). Similar to our lives, certainly. In any situation, wherever you are, you need to ride out that storm. Just face it. Grief and loss are normal; COVID has placed the challenge before us – how many milestones have we had to miss (weddings, funerals, anniversaries, birthdays, medical procedures)? We have been coping with many issues, particularly isolation. Let us keep those in nursing homes, and their ongoing challenges, in our thoughts.

And children also have been so negatively affected. Dr. Knight acknowledged there are studies showing impacts on speech development (masking, lack of clarity) and social delays in young children. Online schooling was for the most part, a terribly challenging time for everyone (children, parents, grandparents, and educators). Education, in general, took a major hit.

Going forward, acknowledging COVID is not going to go away, what shall we do? Dr. Knight’s message to all of us:

Live in the moment. Face your anxiety. Use mindfulness practices, perhaps journaling, meditation or yoga to cope. Take time out daily to ‘drop anchor’. Dr. Knight led those in attendance in a mindfulness practice - Close your eyes. Use a focal point to concentrate. Breathe in deeply and slowly, and exhale the same way, open your eyes, and carry on …