Submitted by the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority
The holiday season can lift spirits and fill hearts with hope. For those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, it can also bring feelings of sadness and despair. At the best of times, it is very challenging to grieve the loss of someone close to you. During the holiday season when so much focus is on family, and with pandemic restrictions keeping us apart from others, it can be overwhelming.
“Grief is a mostly unpredictable journey that’s hard to navigate,” says Jill Hodgson-McConnell, a clinical team manager who works in the area of mental health with Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority. “It can manifest itself in many ways, including sadness, shock, numbness, denial, anger, fear, mood swings, anxiety, panic and guilt. Any of these feelings are normal ways of coping. They key is to acknowledge and validate your feelings, and take care of yourself through activities like exercise or meditation, sleeping well and reaching out to others.”
Hodgson-McConnell added that people who want to reach out to others shouldn’t worry about what some might perceive as interfering with another’s perfect holiday season. “The reality is that all of us are going through something; we all have ups and downs. Connecting with others – even if it’s only by phone or video calling – is extremely important.”
Interlake-Eastern RHA is offering one way to help people trying to cope with loss this year. Normally, the palliative care program places trees in facilities throughout the region that people can hang messages on to honour someone who has died. With pandemic restrictions in place, this year they are inviting everyone to honour loved ones by adding a public message to their Virtual Memory Tree. Simply visit www.is.gd/MemoryTree and fill in your message along with who it is for, and your note will appear on the page within 48 hours.
Hodgson-McConnell said that she hopes people can find some comfort in sharing their messages. Other ways people can mark the departure of a loved one include creating a virtual memory book, blog or web page so family and friends can honour the memory of your loved one and share stories. Another idea is to prepare your loved one’s favorite meal or any other gesture that had significance and can remind you of them.
According to Hodgson-McConnell, it’s not just those who have lost someone that need support.
“Because of isolation and the significant disruption to pre-COVID-19 routines, all of us are facing some sort of grief. Whether it be the loss of social contact, cancelled events, loss of a job or income, or the loss of anything that typically makes you happy, we are all dealing with strong emotions and grief. This year more than ever, stay in touch with each other and let your loved ones know they are not alone.”
Anyone experiencing loss or grief or struggling with depression, loneliness or other personal issues is encouraged to make use of the many resources available locally, which can be found at www.is.gd/mentalhealth1. If you notice that your symptoms of anxiety are causing you significant distress or interfering with your ability to function normally, call the region’s 24-hour crisis line at 204-482-5419 or toll-free at 1-866-427-8628.
It’s important for everyone to continue self-care past the holiday season and into the New Year. The RHA’s community wellness newsletter is a great way to stay informed about your personal health and learn about local resources. To sign up for the newsletter visit https://is.gd/wellnessnewsletter.
