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Resources to Support Others

The following resources address the needs of family members/friends and healthcare/front line workers who are supporting others through grief during and/or related to COVID-19.

Resource Listing

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“Get Over It…???”

Discusses why people often jump to telling us to "get over" grief and why this is not helpful.

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#GriefLiteracy: Join the Movement

Video about Grief Literacy, which refers to a person's knowledge about and ability to respond to grief. Speakers advocate for increasing grief literacy. | 01:36:00

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‘I Have to Live with the Tragedy’: Memorials Remembering 215 Indigenous Children Found Buried at Residential School

Discussions of memorials commemorating the 215 Indigenous children found at a residential school.

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‘It is Bleak’: How the Pandemic Economy has Affected LGBTQ People

Information about how the LGBTQ community is being disproportionately financially affected by the pandemic.

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10 Tips for Loving Someone in an Overrun ICU During COVID

This empathetic advice from someone who has been there covers way to support your loved one while they are in the ICU during lockdown.

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10 Ways You Can Support Someone Grieving During The Coronavirus Crisis

List of ways to support those close to you experiencing grief including validating their feelings and reaching out regularly.

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5 Ways to Help Seniors Cope With Grief and Loss

Tips for helping seniors cope with loss. *Not COVID specific

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5 Ways to Help Seniors Deal with the Loss of a Spouse

Recommendations include remembering that grief takes place over time and recognizing triggers. *Not COVID-specific

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6 Ways to Help Loved Ones Grieving Deaths During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Description of 6 ways to support loved ones through grief such as plan a funeral, share happy memories, and avoid burdensome requests.

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A Hidden Pandemic of COVID-19

Article explores the approaches of psychologists in supporting children who have lost caregivers to coronavirus

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A Hidden Pandemic: Grief in the African American Community

Video and article investigating how the black community is more severely affected by COVID. | 00:05:10

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A Phone-Based Early Psychological Intervention for Supporting Bereaved Families in the Time of COVID-19

Description of phone- based psychology intervention with bereaved families at an Italian hospital. Article also discusses strengths, weakensses, and challenges of their approach and makes suggestions for clinicians developing/implementing similar approaches.

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A Time to Mourn: Grieving Differently During the Pandemic

Discusses the tensions families are feeling in lockdown and how to support children through grief.

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Addressing Grief

Brief facts and tips about how children of different ages respond to grief.

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Addressing Grief and Loss as a Teacher

Article covers some basics of what educators need to know to support students who are grieving.

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Addressing the Cultural, Spiritual and Religious Perspectives of Palliative Care

A an article outlining Living My Culture, an online resource available to support people grieving in their own language and culture. Describes how frontline workers can use this resource. *Not COVID specific

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ADEC in Conversation: Mindfulness in Uncertain Times

Grief experts discuss how healthcare providers and frontline workers can practice mindfulness with their patients/clients to cope with coronavirus uncertainty. | 00:45:23

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All the Things We Have to Mourn Now

Six experts explain how to recognize the many new faces of grief during a pandemic, with information on the connection between immigration and grief.

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As Covid Deaths Rise, Lingering Grief Gets a New Name

Discussion of the addition of Prolonged Grief Disorder to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), which outlines all mental disorders

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As COVID-19 Restrictions Lift, Grief Literacy can Help Us Support Those Around Us

Article discussing the "tsunami of grief" and how grief literacy can help us support one another.

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Back To School With Grief & The COVID-19 Pandemic – A Tip Sheet

Podcast episode outlining the Dougy Centre's tip sheet for going back to school during COVID-19. | 00:17:00

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Battling Somalia’s Epidemic, a Grieving British Doctor Finds Peace

Narrative of a doctor trying to support others through COVID-19 while struggling with the loss of her own father.

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Being There: What to Say and Do in the Aftermath of Loss

Advice on how to support those close to us when they experience grief such as sticking around past the initial wave of support.

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Bereavement Care in the Wake of COVID-19: Offering Condolences and Referrals

Article offers suggestions for clinicians in working with bereaved families. It focuses on the importance of using compassionate communication, how to assess risk, and when to refer.

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Bereavement In The Lives Of People With Intellectual Disabilities

When someone with an intellectual disability loses a parent through death, this is not just the loss of someone they loved, but also the loss of someone who is likely to be the most familiar with their needs, their likes and dislikes, and with whom they shared a trusting relationship.

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Bereavement in the Time of Coronavirus: Unprecedented Challenges Demand Novel Interventions

Discusses how COVID enhances tragedy. Calls for National efforts to minimize grief impact by investing in virtual funeral services and phone programs for elderly bereaved to seek support. Info may be relevant to healthcare providers and frontline workers.

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Bereavement in Times of COVID-19: A Review and Theoretical Framework

Literature review of 44 articles addressing bereavement and COVID-19. Article also demonstrates application of the Dual Process Model to bereavement care.

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Bereavement Support on the Frontline of COVID-19: Recommendations for Hospital Clinicians

Article discussing elements of covid that lead to higher risk of complex grief and how professionals can try to mitigate these factors.

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Big Emotions In Grief – Jenny Delacruz, LPC

Interview with Jenny Delacruz, LPC, about how families (children and adults) can cope with the overwhelming emotions caused by grief. | 00:25:50

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Black Americans Experiencing Collective Trauma, Grief

Exploration of collective grief and fear in the black community as a result of police violence. *Not COVID specific

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Black Grief: When Life is More than a Movement

Blog post about how grief is stronger when a person is taken before their time, such as in police shootings.

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Books for Grieving Children

Book suggestions for grieving children based on child age and relationship to the deceased. Books must be purchased. *Not COVID specific

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Building Resilience in Children During a Pandemic

Webinar about how to support your child in developing resilience and moving through grief. | 00:44:42

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California’s Latinos Grapple With COVID, And Extraordinary Grief

Article and podcast outlining the unique challenges of the California Latino community in processing grief. | 00:04:07

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Case Study: Using Art Therapy for a Client Who is Grieving

This article discusses how art can be healing and gives a list of suggested art therapy exercises for adults.

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Children & Funerals in a Global Pandemic

Video module on how to make funerals meaningful for children during COVID. | 00:57:26

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Clinical Considerations Around Perinatal Loss

This video podcast outlines the unique challenges of those experiencing perinatal loss during Covid-19 and considerations for healthcare providers. | 00:37:58

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Commemoration and Memorialization

Specific guidance is provided to educators on spontaneous memorials and the role of social media. It stresses the importance of involving students in memorial activities.

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Common LGBT Grief Issues Following the Death of a Partner or Spouse

Fact sheet of the ways grief can be complex for LGBT individuals who have lost a partner. *Not COVID specific

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Complicated Grief Following a Death in the ICU: New Challenges in the COVID-19 Era

This educational webinar for healthcare providers addressing the definition of complex grief and the challenges of being unable to visit loved ones. | 00:57:40

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Concepts of Death

This article provides educators information on how to discuss death with young students.

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Connecting With Families

Outlines how educators can facilitate communication with families of bereaved students.

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Considering Grief in Mental Health Outcomes of COVID-19

Article connects Covid-19 to types of grief such as complicated and anticipatory.

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Coordinating Services & Supporting Transitions

Module addressing how educators should remain in contact with grieving students' families and tips on how to properly make and maintain this contact.

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Coordinating Services & Supporting Transitions

This module addresses coordination of communication and services among all adults supporting a grieving student and how to ensure this coordination continues when children transition to a new grade or school.

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Coping with COVID-19 – Immigrants, Refugees and Their Families

Articles covering topics such as what to do when grieving and how to get help.

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Coping with the Fear of COVID 19 Infection: The C.H.I.L.D. Model for Dealing with Fears, Grief and Trauma

Overview of the C.H.I.L.D model of supporting children through grief.

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Cora and the Corona

A story for children about moving through the stress of quarantine.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Assistance au Deuil et au Traumatisme pour les Personnes Touchées par le COVID-19 dans le Secteur des Soins aux Personnes Âgées (Aged Care Grief and Trauma Support)

This fact sheet, in French, provides useful information about grief and trauma support services for those impacted by COVID-19 in the aged care sector.

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Coronavirus Is Changing The Rituals Of Death For Many Religions

Descriptions of how the death rituals of many religions cannot be performed during coronavirus and how people are overcoming this.

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COVID-19 and Artful Grief

This video podcast episode discusses art therapy for grief, why it is important and how how practitioners are practicing it virtually. | 01:00:52

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COVID-19 and Bereavement: Here’s How Employers Can Help

Tips for employers on supporting employees experiencing grief including having clear bereavement leave policies and checking in on their wellbeing.

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COVID-19 and Complicated Grief

Conversation with Dr. Katherine Shear about how coronavirus is producing complex grief. | 00:39:45

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COVID-19 and Disenfranchised Grief

Connection of grief to feelings of disenfranchisement. Article then makes suggestions for clinical practice.

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COVID-19 and Grief : A Chaplain’s Reflection on the Experience of Supporting Bereaved Parents and Widows in Lockdown

Reflections of a chaplain supporting youth through grief during COVID-19.

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COVID-19 and Indigenous Health and Wellness: Our Strength is in our Stories

Booklet investigating the use of Indigenous storytelling for healing. Addresses general wellness, including grief.

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COVID-19 and the Importance of Grief Leadership

Experts discuss the concept of "grief leadership" and the importance of grief leaders in global crisis. | 01:05:14

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Covid-19 Pandemic Resources

Resources from the LA children's hospital for educators, including scripts for what to say on the first day back and tips for creating a supportive environment.

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COVID-19 Toolkit

Includes downloadable links for resource booklets on palliative care with Covid-19 patients, Indigenous people, and others.

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COVID-19: Best Practices in Grief and Bereavement Tele-therapy

Thid video podcast episode covers the best practices for frontline workers providing tele-therapy. | 01:06:49

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COVID-19: Equity-Informed Palliative Care & Social Disadvantage Infographic

Provides considerations for healthcare providers about the increased risks for socially-disadvantaged groups and processes for working with this population.

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COVID-19: Grief, Loss of the Assumptive World and Meaning-Making

Conversation with a grief researcher about our assumptions about life and death and how we can find meaning in loss. | 00:50:54

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COVID-19: Losses Facing Children and Adolescents, Delivery of Services & Coping

Video podcast episode with grief experts discussing considerations for grief service delivery with youth. | 01:27:35

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Covid’s Cruellest Blow? Keeping the Dying from Their Loved Ones

Reflections from a palliative care physician including observations of grieving families whose loved ones died from COVID-19.

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Cultural Sensitivity

Explains how educators can navigate cultural differences in grieving practices while talking to students.

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Death and Dying: Elderly Persons’ Experiences of Grief Over the Loss of Family Members

Descriptive study about the experiences of seniors grieving a loved one. Results show understandings of grief largely shaped by religion.

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Death and Dying: How Indigenous Communities Grieve, Survive and Thrive Social Sharing

Podcast explores grief, death and dying in Indigenous communities, the circumstances that lead to the heavy losses they experience and how people are prioritizing the need for promotion of vibrant Indigenous life. | 00:42:00

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Death and Grieving in a Changing Landscape : Facing the Death of a Loved One and Experiencing Grief during COVID-19

Insight into the experiences of a palliative care chaplain and the challenges faced by those grieving from COVID-19.

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Death and School Crisis

This module covers how educators can prepare for the potential deaths of members of their school's community.

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Death, Grief and Funerals in the COVID Age

Advice for helping people develop new rituals to honour those who die during the COVID-19 era.

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Defining Your Family Grief Values: Finding True North in a Chaotic World

Supports youth in defining their "grief values" and using these to manage grief. | 01:01:25

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Determinants of Loneliness Among Older Adults in Canada

Academic article exploring the negative outcomes of loneliness among older adults in Canada.

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Do This Not That: How to Help a Grieving Friend

Infographic depicting suggestions for things to do and not do when supporting someone through grief.

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Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Centre

Videos with guided activities for children to work through grief. Activities are mostly art-centred and various wellness challenges.

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Dream Builder Worksheet

This worksheet helps people work through the meanings of their dreams in relation to COVID grief.

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Dying in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Contextual Considerations and Clinical Recommendations

Overview of unique considerations of Covid grief and how to support others in building resilience.

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Elderly Face Grief and Loss Differently Than Do Others

Article about how the psychological context of grief is different for the elderly.

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Excess Deaths From COVID-19, Community Bereavement, and Restorative Justice for Communities of Color

Article details how communities of colour are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

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Floating the Waves of Grief

Booklet with descriptions of various diagnosable forms of grief and chapters addressing a number of populations including healthcare providers, family members, and individuals supporting themselves.

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For Those in Long-Term Care, COVID-19 Compounded the Weight of Grief

"Even as vaccinations make their way across the United States, the impact of the pandemic remains present for residents of long-term care and their loved ones."

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Funeral Attendance

This module provides practical advice on funeral attendance by children and implications for relevant school policies. 

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Funerals in the Time of a Pandemic: A Toolkit for Children & Families

This resource goes in-depth into the importance of funerals in the grieving process, how families can enact funeral activities at home, and how to include kids in these activities. It gives practical advice for how to support children in understanding/coping with grief.

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Gay Grief Is Different

Explanation of how the LGBTQ community's grief is often disenfranchised because of marginalization. *Not COVID specific

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Grief About My Father’s Death is Making it Hard to Concentrate at Work

Interview with a man whose father died in India and the influence of the current Indian political climate on grief as well as grieving at a distance.

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Grief and Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Supporting Yourself and Others

Booklet with descriptions of what grief might look like, how to cope, and how to support others.

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Grief and COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers: Staying Connected in a Time of Loss and Uncertainty

This video module series discusses the experiences of palliative care workers during COVID-19. It explains how workers can support themselves, their colleagues, and their patients. | 00:59:11

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Grief and COVID-19: Mourning What We Know, Who We Miss and the Way We Say Goodbye

This article explores experiences of children and young people’s death anxiety as a result of COVID-19, and the impact of the pandemic and death on staff working in care establishments, and how grief was reported in UK newspapers.  

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Grief and Growth During COVID-19: Art & Writing Exercises for Teens

This resources directed at youth provides creative writing exercises for working through grief. | 00:43:33

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Grief and Loss

Article outlines different types of grief and how to support yourself as well as any children in your life.

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Grief and Loss During a Pandemic

This presentation outlines supports, tools and approaches to grief and loss during a pandemic when in-person classes are not available. Discusses ways to support yourself and others. | 00:34:06

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Grief and the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults

Authors explore how grief affects older adults through the pandemic and make suggestions for mitigating prolonged grief disorder.

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Grief during COVID-19: Supporting Our Colleagues to Return to Work and Thrive Following Loss

Article about the unique experience of supporting colleagues in returning to work after loss from COVID-19.

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Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers

Establishes impact of covid on grief and suggests frontline workers can counter this grief through communication, advance care planning, and self-care practices.

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Grief Fact Sheet #2: Responses to Grief Across the Lifespan

Link to download a fact sheet with information on how grief looks different at different ages and how this information can shape the way frontline workers practice with bereaved children and youth.

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Grief Fact Sheet #3: Preventive Strategies and Protective Factors

Link to download info sheet with information about how to prevent grief from becoming complex.

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Grief Fact Sheet #4: Cultural Responsiveness

Link to download fact sheet about how grief is viewed and addressed in different cultures.

Grief Fact Sheet #5: Evidence-Based Treatments for Grief

Link to download fact sheet about evidence-based treatments for grief.

Grief in the Time of Coronavirus: Loss, Connection and Hope

General understanding of grief with information on coping as a family and supporting children.

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Grief Literacy Promotes Compassionate Care in Dentistry

Brief exploration of how "grief literacy" can support healthcare professionals in providing compassionate care in healthcare fields, such as dentistry.

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Grief Out Loud

"We bring you a mix of personal stories, tips for supporting children, teens, and yourself, and interviews with bereavement professionals. Platitude and cliché-free, we promise!" | 00:32:23

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Grief Reactions Over the Life Span

Fact sheet outlining how different age groups respond to and process grief. *Not COVID specific

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Grief Resources During Covid

Overview of a bunch of different aspects of grief including talking to children about grief during covid and attending funerals within lockdown guidelines.

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Grief Triggers

This module goes over some of the grief triggers that may be present in school classrooms and how these triggers can be minimized by educators.

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Grief, Anger Among Indian Diaspora in US as COVID Crisis Worsens

Stories of grief in the Indian diaspora community as the death toll continues to rise in India.

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Grief, Bereavement and Loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Booklet outlining the how to prepare for loss, what to expect after death, planning funeral services, supporting children, and others.

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Grief: Helping Older Adults With Grief

Ways to help older adults who are grieving.

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Grieving

This resource provides a brief definition of grief as well as a list of coping strategies. It also discusses how to support a friend or loved one.

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Grieving Alone and Together

Booklet discusses different types of grief and how people can support each other, including children. Also includes suggestions for memorializing loved-ones.

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Grieving Alone and Together: Responding to the Loss of Your Loved One During the COVID-19 Pandemic

"Grief guide" that outlines what grief is, how to plan funerals and memorials, supporting children through grief, and other topics.

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Grieving in Exceptional Times: Supporting Others

Short video explaining the strain of not being able to have in-person funerals with advice for supporting ourselves and others. | 00:02:17

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GUEST POST: Supporting Grieving Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Description of how children are experiencing grief during the pandemic and suggestions for how teachers can support them.

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Guilt & Shame

This module addresses the reactions of guilt and shame experienced by students after the death of a family member or friend and offers suggestions for school professionals on how to promote grieving students’ adjustment in this context.

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Healthy Mourning In A Grief Pandemic Training Program

Offers Covid-specific training programs for hospice staff.

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Helping Canada’s Seniors Cope with the Loss of a Spouse

Outline of the symptoms of grief and ways to address these symptoms in seniors. *Not COVID specific

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Helping Children Process Grief & Loss During COVID-19

Details how to tell your child about death for the first time and how to support them in "moving forward".

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Helping During Social Distancing

Brief article about the importance of reaching out to friends and family members experiencing grief.

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Helping Patients Cope with COVID-19 Grief

Article directed at healthcare providers discusses the meaning of ubiquitous grief, after death care, and different forms of grief.

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Helping Professionals Supporting Grieving Childen And Families

This video is an informative workshop for anyone working with children who have experienced a death of a loved one. An LCSW shares hands-on ideas and activities to support children as they process their feelings and find ways to remember their loved ones. *Not COVID specific | 00:33:07

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Helping Schools Become Better Prepared to Meet the Needs of Grieving Students

This podcast episode outlines how educators can prepare for the grief their students will be experiencing when classes resume in-person. | 01:30:11

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Helping Students Through a Period of Grief

Article offers advice on supporting younger and older students through grief and expressing their emotions.

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Helping Teens Manage COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges

Handout outlining the common challenges youth are experiencing during the pandemic and giving advice on how to support them through it.

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Hindu Response to Dying and Death in the Time of COVID-19

Description of Hindu perspectives on death and dying with implications for how care workers can use this in practice.

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Homeless System Response: Social Distancing: Inspired Ideas for Addressing Loneliness

Community ideas for reducing loneliness among the homeless population.

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How Coronavirus is Changing Funeral Rites, Mourning and Grief

Traditions must adapt to social distance rules at a time when for some, physical and spiritual closeness is most needed.

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How do Funeral Practices Impact Bereaved Relatives’ Mental Health, Grief and Bereavement? A Mixed Methods Review with Implications for COVID-19

"We conducted a rapid review synthesising the quantitative and qualitative evidence regarding the effect of funeral practices on bereaved relatives’ mental health and bereavement outcomes."

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How do Funeral Practices Impact Bereaved Relatives’ Mental Health, Grief and Bereavement? A Mixed Methods Review with Implications for COVID-19

Provides insight on what bereaved relatives have found helpful in making their funeral practices meaningful.

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How Do We Address Black Grief, Compounded by Centuries of Racism, Loss and Trauma?

Article contextualizes the grief the black community experiences during COVID-19 within a larger pattern of historical loss with considerations for those supporting community members.

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How Do You Help a Grieving Friend?

Animated video discussing why trying to cheer people up is not as effective as sitting with them in grief. Helpful resource for youths and adults. | 00:03:59

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How Educators Can Support Students Coping with COVID-19-Related Grief

Tips for educators supporting grieving students and attending to the fact that grief is present in the classroom.

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How Might Social Distancing Impact Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Men in Canada

Article explores how gay, bi, queer, trans, and two-spirit men are uniquely affected by social distancing measures.

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How Muslims Are Mourning Without Proper Death Care Rituals

Article about how COVID-19 restrictions are interrupting prayer and death rituals for Muslims.

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How Parents Can Support Their Child Through COVID-19 Losses

A child psychologist outlines how grief is experienced differently for children and how to discuss this topic with young kids who may struggle to understand the concept.

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How the Death of a Spouse Can Affect the Elderly

Outlines the unique aspects of losing a spouse for seniors. *Not COVID specific

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How to Build a Memorial Website

Article outlining how to create a memorial website. Focus is on creating memorial for an individual, but could be used for collective expressions of grief as well. *Not COVID specific

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How to Grieve and Support Others During a Pandemic

Experts on grief share the best ways to support others while physically distancing.

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How to Process Grief Through Art

Stories of different artists and how they used art to cope with loss in their lives. Some stories are of healthcare workers supporting service-users, others of community members supporting themselves.

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How to Support Someone Who is Grieving

Infographic with advice on how to support someone who is grieving including examples of things you should not say.

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How to Support Someone Who’s Lost a Loved One During COVID-19

Advice on supporting someone through grief along with resources of support.

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How to Talk to Someone with an Intellectual Disability About Death, Even if you Aren’t Sure You Should

Covers myths about people with intellectual disability and strategies for discussing death with these populations.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the Economic Well-Being of Recent Migrants to Canada

Investigation of financial loss in recent migrants due to coronavirus.

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Impact on Learning

This module addresses the challenges students might be facing academically while experiencing Covid-related grief. It gives information on how educators can support these students in maintaining their academic record.

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Impact on Learning

Module for educators on how to provide proactive supports and modifications in academic and homework expectations to help grieving students.

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Indigenous Perspectives on Death and Dying

Booklet outlining Indigenous perspectives on death and dying for end of life care providers.

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Intolerance of Uncertainty and Loneliness in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Examination of the mental health outcomes for older adults in Greece during social distancing, with attention to gender difference.

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It’s Complicated—Adolescent Grief in the Time of Covid-19

Background information about prevalence of grief and complex grief in adolescents due to COVID-19. Addresses topics such as the context of adolescent grief, stigmatization of grief, loneliness, and individualism.

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Joe Primo on Supporting Grieving Children

Q&A with child grief expert about how to support children through grief.

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Julia Samuel on Changing How We Think About Grief

Q&A with a grief expert about why it is so difficult to talk about grief.

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Kid’s Grief

This website has a lot of different resources for supporting children covering everything from talking about grief to moving on from loss.

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Kids are Grieving Too

Tips for speaking to children about loss.

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Kids Grief Q&A

Interview with Andrea Warnick, a children's grief expert, about supporting kids through grief. | 01:08:23

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LGBT Grief & The Importance of Finding Support

Blog post outlines the lack of resources for LGBTQ individuals grieving and the importance of finding support for coping with grief. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Chinese

Videos covering topics such as honouring your parents' wishes, hope and denial, and what it means to have a "good" death. Resources available in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Ethiopians

Videos covering topics like gendered grieving and talking about illness. Articles available in English and Amharic. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Filipinos

Videos addressing topics such as faith, food, and after-death traditions. Resources available in English and Tagalog. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for First Nations

Video modules covering topics such as traditional medicines at end of life, the social importance of food, and ceremonies. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Indians

Videos covering topics such as overcoming fear, legal documents, and talking to children. Resources available in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Inuit

Videos covering topics such as improving care away from home and the importance of care in your own language. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Iranians

Videos covering topics such as conflicting beliefs, understanding the system, and the gift of acceptance. Resources available in English and Farsi. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Italians

Videos covering topics such as resisting palliative care, accepting death, and running from grief. Resources available in English and Italian. *Not COVID specific

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Living my Culture: Palliative Resources for Metis

Videos covering topics such as culturally sensitive care and advocating for care.

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Pakistanis

Videos covering topics such as the stigma of hospice and depression. Resources available in English and Urdu. *Not COVID specific

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Living My Culture: Palliative Resources for Somalians

Video covering topics such as failing a dying parent, what healthcare providers should know, and caring for elders at home. Available in English and Somali. *Not COVID specific

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Living with Grief & Loss

Worksheets on coping with grief covering topics such as reflection, support systems, understanding your feelings, caring for yourself and others, and activities. Some resources for adults and some for teens. *Not COVID specific

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Loneliness of Older Immigrant Groups in Canada: Effects of Ethnic-Cultural Background

Discussion of the effects of loneliness on older adult immigrants in Canada.

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Loss and Grief Amidst COVID-19: A Path to Adaptation and Resilience

This article for healthcare providers addresses the importance of tayloring approaches to each individual.

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Loss and Grief During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Resource for Post-Secondary Institutions

This handbook outlines how post-secondary institutions can support students through grief.

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Loss and Grief in Real Time: The African American Experience with COVID-19

Webinar outlining the HEALING model of addressing grief, the unique experiences of the black community, and how to apply HEALING with this community.

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Loss, Grief and Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: How to Support Students

Description of what grief looks like in classrooms, how to support all students, and how to specifically support students who are experiencing loss.

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Loss, Grief, & Bereavement Adapted for COVID-19

Presentation for nurses on how to support grieving families during covid. It breaks down how what service usually looks like with bereaved families and how COVID alters this. | 00:20:19

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Managing Grief Better: People With Intellectual Disabilities

It is imperative that all people, including those with learning disabilities, are able to access the supports given in their culture to understand death and loss. *Not COVID specific

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Mental Health During COVID-19: Signs Your Child May Need More Support

Outlines some ways parents can tell that their children are struggling during COVID-19.

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Mental Health Status of Canadian Immigrants During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Data-driven article about the mental health of immigrants during COVID-19, with discussion of grief.

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More LGBT People Say They’ve Lost Jobs, Suffered Mental Health Impacts During Pandemic

A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that LGBT people experienced the pandemic differently than non-LGBT people.

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Mourning COVID-19 Losses in LGBTQ Community

Gay USA hosts, Andy Humm and Ann Northrop, mourn COVID-19 related losses in the LGBTQ community. | 00:08:01

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National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement Resources

Links to download materials that teachers can use when addressing grief in their classrooms.

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Opinion: Covid-19 Has Shed Light on Another Pandemic of Depression, Anxiety, and Grief

Discussion of how depression, anxiety and grief are more prevalent than ever and suggestion for healthcare workers to screen their clients/patients and for peer support to be promoted.

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Other Reactions (Pt. 2 to Guilt & Shame)

This module addresses some of the additional reactions that students may demonstrate after the death of a friend or family member, other than learning challenges, and guilt and shame, which were covered in other modules.

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Our Smallest Warriors, Our Strongest Medicine

Children's book about an Indigenous family coping during coronavirus. Discusses death and lifestyle changes.

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Pandemic Grief Scale: A Screening Tool for Dysfunctional Grief Due to a COVID-19 loss

This tool supports healthcare workers in identifying "dysfunctional grief".

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Parasocial Relationships and Depression Among LGBQ Emerging Adults Living With Their Parents During COVID-19: The Potential forOnline Support

Article explores how parasocial relationships with Youtubers can reduce loneliness among LGBT youth.

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Peer Support

This resource addresses how teachers can create positive classroom environments and foster peer support for grieving students.

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Physician Wellness

Infographic with recommendations about how physicians can cope with grief such as acknowledging shared loss and creating safe spaces.

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Preloss Grief in Family Members of COVID-19 Patients: Recommendations for Clinicians and Researchers

Recommendations for healthcare and front line line workers on supporting the family members of those who have died from COVID-19.

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Press Release: A New Guide to Deathbed Etiquette for COVID-19

Advice for healthcare professionals trying to comfort patients dying from COVID-19 without physical touch.

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Professional Preparation

This module addresses the general lack of professional preparation in bereavement among school professionals and details the importance and value of providing training in this area.

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Prolonged Grief Related to COVID-19 Deaths: Do We Have to Fear a Steep Rise in Traumatic and Disenfranchised Griefs?

Article encourages a holistic approach to healing and attention to fostering meaning-making practices.

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Providing Support Over Time

Article outlines the roll school personnel play in connecting bereaved families to resources.

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Publications du Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux

French info sheet about bereavement in those with intellectual disabilities.

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Resolving Child and Adolescent Traumatic Grief: Creative Techniques and Interventions

Addresses how children and youth can work through traumatic grief through different forms of art like creative writing, drawing, and ritualizing.

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Resources for Resilient Parenting: Practicing Family Care

Webinar about the principles of "family care" (the mutual support your family provides) and how to practice family care through COVID-19. | 00:09:05

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Resources To Support Grieving Children & Families – An Update From New York Life Foundation

Podcast interview with the VP from New York Life Foundation about the resources they have developed to support people during COVID and the disproportionate effect this pandemic has had on Black and Latinx communities. | 00:29:55

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Scaling Up to Address Global Trauma, Loss, and Grief Associated with COVID-19

To combat a potential mental health catastrophe, we must make psychological services available to communities worldwide.

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Secondary & Cumulative Losses

Discusses how adults can support children and youth experiencing secondary loss, especially those living in violent communities.

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Seniors Grieving the Loss of Loved Ones: Suggestions for Support

Suggestions for supporting older adults experiencing loss.

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Seniors Wellness in Challenging Times

Coping strategies for seniors struggling during COVID-19.

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Sharing Grief and Solidarity: South Asia Regionalism

Narrative of a South Asian journalist's grief and the importance of grieving collectively.

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Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Elderly Immigrants: The Case of South Asian Elderly Living in Canada

Article about the effects of social isolation on older South Asians living in Canada.

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Spiritual Care

Booklet explores the influence of spirituality in service-users lives and how service providers can integrate spirituality into their practice, even if they are not spiritual themselves.

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Storytelling and Poetry in the Time of Coronavirus

Article for frontline workers about the role poetry and literature can play in healing from coronavirus loss.

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Strategies to Cope With the COVID-Related Deaths Among Family Members

This article is aimed at psychologists. It gives an overview of the ways that families have been coping with grief after loss.

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Suicide

This module for educators discusses the importance of communicating openly with students about suicide.

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Supporting a Child With Grief and Loss During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Article discusses how to support children in working through the powerful emotion of grief including reminding them that family is still there for them and acknowledging how difficult this is for them.

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Supporting Bereavement and Complicated Grief in Primary Care: A Realist Review

Article aimed at doctors and nurses, but applicable to all care professions. Literature review of 42 articles on bereavement care. Identification of most successful evidence-based practice approaches for bereavement care.

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Supporting Children & Teens When a Family Member is Dying in a Hospital or Care Facility

Dougy Centre booklet on supporting teens and children.

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Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This article outlines the different considerations support people should consider when addressing grief with children of different ages.

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Supporting Grieving Students During a Pandemic

Overview of the common signs of grief in youth.

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Supporting Grieving Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview of the issues grieving students may be facing and a reminder that grief happens in the classroom, even outside of COVID-19. Booklet makes recommendations for how to address grief such as reviewing policy and planning self-care.

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Supporting Grieving Students in this Time of COVID-19

Booklet for educators on supporting grieving children at school including signs that a student may be grieving and tips for supporting them.

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Supporting People with Disabilities Coping with Grief and Loss

Booklet provides an overview of the grief process, highlights the range of needs of people with disabilities who may be grieving, and provides effective strategies for supporting people with disabilities in dealing with grief and loss.

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Supporting Someone with an Intellectual Disability Through Grief

People with an intellectual disability can be the ‘forgotten mourners’ during a time of bereavement and great sadness. Recommendations such as ensuring they are included in community grief activities.

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Supporting Staff with Grief: A Guide for Leaders

Booklet outlining how healthcare employers can support their staff in working through grief.

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Supporting the Grieving Child and Family

Article directed at pediatricians about how to support grieving families who have lost a loved one to COVID-19. This paper also gives advice on how to talk to children about grief and death.

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Supporting Your Child Through Back to School Covid Anxiety

Tips for supporting youth such as listening to and validating their feelings, reassuring them, celebrating small victories, and remembering to take care of yourself as well.

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Symptoms of Grief & Loss

Infographic about the physical, mental, and behavioural signs and symptoms of grief.

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Talking End of Life with People with Intellectual Disability

Video module outlining recommendations for talking about death with people with intellectual disability. | 00:02:54

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Talking With Children

Practical suggestions for how school professionals can initiate conversations with students who have recently experienced the death of a close family member or friend.

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Ten Tips for Helping Others Grieve

Includes tips such as acknowledging loss and not minimizing pain.

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The Coronavirus Has a Disparate Impact on Black Grief, Too

Discussion of the disruption to black death rituals and how POC are more affected by the virus.

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The Covid 19 Pandemic will be Outlasted By The Grief Pandemic and Nobody is Prepared for It

This article discusses how we as a society are unprepared to properly support each other through grief, and what to say to someone who is grieving.

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The Efficacy of a Group Visual Art Bereavement Intervention with Older Adults

Dissertation studying art therapy with seniors who are bereaved. *Not COVID specific

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The Familial Language of Black Grief

Article about how the black community grieves powerfully for those killed by racial injustice because of their identification with the victims. Important to understand this grief happens alongside COVID grief*Not COVID specific

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The Interaction of Trauma and Grief in the Age of a Pandemic: The Role of Bereavement Programs in Promoting Child and Family Resilience

Suggestions for adapting services based on what is known about risk factors, post disaster pathways for mental health, and best practices for coping will be presented. | 00:56:57

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The Pandemic Is Raging. Here’s How to Support Your Grieving Students

Article for educators about the importance of focusing on building relationships with students who may be grieving.

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The Relentlessness of Black Grief

Article explores how grief is more palpable in the back community because of their higher rates of COVID death as well as deaths/abuses resulting from racial injustice.

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The Story of the Oyster and the Butterfly: The Coronavirus and Me

This children's book about the pandemic addresses how children can make the most of isolation. It also provides therapeutic exercises to support children in finding happiness.

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The Virulence of Grief in the Pandemic: Bereavement Overload During COVID

Discussion of Bereavement Overload (individuals' reactions to losses transpiring in a quick succession, without the time and opportunity for coping) and the role of palliative care workers

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These South Asians in Toronto are Helping with India’s COVID-19 Crisis — While Managing their Grief from Afar

Explores the unique aspect of worrying for loved ones in other countries (India) that are struggling more with COVID, while fighting through this grief to provide support.

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They Don’t Teach You How to Grieve as a First-Generation, Only-Child American

Information of how racialized communities are grieving differently during COVID and narrative of a woman's grief.

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This Too Shall Pass: Planning and Adapting for the Next Way of Grief Service Delivery

This webinar focuses on things to keep in mind when deciding how to reopen youth services, financial considerations, and what modified services will look like. | 00:59:36

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Through the Lenses of Grief

A conversation about grieving children, teens, and families in the emotional climate of the coronavirus. | 01:00:47

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Tiny Shoes and Lowered Flags: Memorials Spread for 215 First Nations Children Found Buried in Mass Grave in B.C.

Examples of public grieving activities happening across Canada for lost Indigenous children.

Trapped at Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic? Here’s How Parents Can Get Through Challenging Moments

This article addresses how parents can support themselves as well as their children through grief, loneliness, and lifestyle loss.

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Understanding and Supporting the Complexity of Grief in our COVID-Shaped World

Recorded webinar of various academics talking about the complexity of grief during Covid-19, implications for professional practice *requires you to enter name and email to access. | 01:09:41

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Using Art for Healing- 7 Ways Healing Artwork Can Help You

This article explores how to use art to cope with grief. Advice can be followed individually or strategies can be used by healthcare workers.

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Voices from the Field 16 – Supporting Grief, Mourning and Mental Health During COVID-19

In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Ansloos discusses everyday foundations of Indigenous peoples’ mental health, well-being and healing, both broadly as well as specific to the current pandemic. | 00:09:47

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Ways to Support Grieving Students During a Pandemic

Brief overview of the ways grief is affecting students at school and a connection to diagnosis of ambiguous loss. Aimed toward educators.

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Ways to Support Someone Who is Grieving

This article covers the dos and don'ts of supporting friends through grief such as not asking "how are you?" and naming names.

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We’re in a New Age of Black Grief

Article about how COVID-19 has brought up feelings of grief over past injustices as well as creating new ones.

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What Are Grief, Loss, And Bereavement?

Overview of grief and evidence-based practice strategies.

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What is the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigrants and Their Children?

Outlines the losses of immigrant communities including financial, lifestyle, social, and more.

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What Not to Say

This article outlines what school employees should avoid saying to children and youth when comforting them through grieving.

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What’s Your Grief: What We Do

This is a website with tons of resources, including creative ways for people to share their grief including through recipes, art, photography, and creative writing. It has tons of blog posts about grief coping strategies and experiences.

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When Grief and Crises Intersect: Perspectives of a Black Physician in the Time of Two Pandemics

Article discusses the pain of the disproportionate numbers of black patients experiencing COVID-19 and provides advice for those looking to support community members.

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When Supporting Someone Who is Suffering – Look for Themes

Info sheet listing the primary themes that appear in stories of suffering and how these can aid us in supporting each other through a spiritual lens.

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When Their World is Already Upside Down- Supporting Grieving Children and Teens in Foster CareDuring the COVID-19 Global Health Crisis

Booklet of the unique challenges of children and youth who are experiencing loss while living in foster care and the compounding effects of COVID-19 on this loss.

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When You Can’t Be With A Dying Family Member

Advice for how families can cope with being unable to visit a dying family member.

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When Your World is Already Upside Down: Supporting Children and Grieving Teens During the Covid-19 Global Health Crisis

Dougy Centre booklet with helpful tips for supporting children and teens like doing family self-care and focusing on sensations in the body.

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Where Do We Go? Black Communities Coping in the Midst of Crises

Discussion of the compounding effects of grief from police violence and coronavirus.

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Why Covid Makes Mother’s Day Extremely Hard for So Many of Us

Discussion of the difficulties of Mother's Day for those who have lost a mother to the pandemic.

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Why I’m Still Grieving the Death of George Floyd

Blog post explaining how the black community is grieving racial injustice and those lost to police violence. *Not COVID-specific

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Worden’s Task-Based Approach for Supporting People Bereaved by COVID-19

6-step approach to supporting someone in overcoming grief.

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Working With Grieving Immigrant Youth

Presentation on the best practices for supporting immigrant youth who are experiencing grief. | 01:19:36

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WorkWell Podcast Series: Special COVID-19 Edition Episode 5: Grief and loss – Supporting Each Other Through Tough Times

This podcast episode discusses coping strategies we can use to support ourselves as well as strategies we can use to support others. | 00:06:55

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‘A Silent Epidemic of Grief’: A Survey of Bereavement Care Provision in the UK and Ireland During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Results of a UK survey that identified percentages of people grieving, experiencing complex grief, and other factors.

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‘It Broke My Heart’: ER doctor Aims to Fight Loneliness ‘Epidemic’ Amid COVID-19

Narrative of a doctor working in the ER and witnessing patients die in isolation.

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“Growing Old is not for the Weak of Heart”: Social Isolation and Loneliness in Muslim Immigrant Older Adults in Canada

Discussion of the impact of loneliness on older Muslim immigrants in Canada.

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“In the Same Storm, but Not on the Same Boat”: Children Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article provides information on how children grieve differently than adults.