Although COVID-19 deaths are declining,mental health concerns might be on the rise.
During the pandemic, people have had very few breaks from trauma, Gottlieb added.
Or, some people might be feeling overwhelmed for the first time as society reopens.
Verywell Health / Gerardo Alexis Dos Diaz
Its because you never let yourself go through that grieving process when it was happening, Gottlieb said.
Fewer Outlets for Pandemic Grief
Gottlieb lost her father during the early days of the pandemic.
She said her last words to him over the phone rather than by his side.
After his passing, she said a lack of face-to-face interactions with friends and family impacted her grieving process.
We couldnt bring together all of the people who loved him, and we couldnt have people support us.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, they were unable to hold a Shiva for him.
So many people experienced that during COVID.
People need to remember that connection is integral to their emotional health.
Oak Street serves Medicare-eligible adults, many of whom are vulnerable to COVID-19.
She added that mixed messaging from health authorities contributes to feelings of confusion about what is normal and safe.
Still, some people have refrained from gathering in the community spaces since reopening, Suberlak said.
How Can We Move Forward?
Gottlieb said that talking about experiences with grief, especially in person, can help process traumatic experiences.
Such coping skills are not new, she added, but the pandemic has emphasized their importance.
Face-to-face connections can be more supportivethan talking over Zoom, she added.
Writing these experiences down can also be beneficial, she said.
The way that you end the generational trauma is by actually bringing it to light, Gottlieb said.
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