Coping with loss and grief during COVID-19 pandemic

It has become a common sight nowadays to see profile photos on social media switched to black.

People who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 usually let their friends and family know that they are grieving by changing their profile to black or sometimes a candle light with black background.

Due to restrictions, attending wakes have been limited, which makes it difficult for those who are mourning to find comfort during this sad moment of their lives.

Sadly, some people also lose themselves in the process because of the added anxiety and fear of what lies ahead in a seemingly hopeless battle against the deadly COVID-19.

"It's not easy to cope with any form of loss, so it's very important that we take time to step back and grieve," reminded life coach Myke Celis, author of the self-discover workbook titled Best Me Ever.

Coach Myke, who have been supporting the mental health of Filipinos since the start of the pandemic, recounts how people actually spiral down to depression because of resistance.

"Feeling angry and resentful towards the situations we encounter is normal. After all, we didn't see everything happening the way it did. Mix that with heightened fear, stress, and anxiety that one feels consistently and you have the key ingredients leading to depression. This is something which must be arrested accordingly to prevent even bigger consequences on top of the initial loss," he said.

Acceptance plays a very important role in this case.

This was the advice of Coach Myke for people who having a hard time coping with grief.

He said, "We need to accept first the space we are in because we cannot fully process everything if we keep on denying the facts on hand. However, it is important to allow ourselves to grieve. Give yourself enough time and space. You don't have to force yourself to be okay immediately. You're doing a disservice to yourself if you let others [or the situation] pressure you into immediately bouncing back."

He also stressed, "You are allowed to take a step back and heal. Until you're ready, just let yourself be."

For those feeling lost because of their loss and what's happening around them, Coach Myke said, "You are basically overwhelmed by everything happening around you and what's happening within. So, pause and reflect. Ask yourself these: 'What's the space I am in? What's confusing me? What must I acknowledge? What can I control? What must I let go of?'

"All these can help you get the clarity you need and want to be able to cope accordingly. It also helps to remember that everything is temporary, your pain and worries [even the pandemic] included."

Coach Myke also reminded those who are grieving about the importance of reaching out to your family and friends.

He said, "You don't have to keep things to yourself. Reach out and allow others to help you. You have your friends, family and mental health professionals who can journey with you. Don't allow your loss to isolate you from people who can help you recover eventually, because more than ever, you need a strong support group to keep you going as you grow in harmony with the experience."

Thanks to technology, posting a black profile on social may be one of the best ways, not only to let people close to you know that you are mourning, but also to ask for help while you cope with grief.

You may also seek professional help to cope with grief and other mental health concerns. Contact the National Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1553 (Luzon wide, toll-free); Globe 0966-3514518, 0917-8998727; Smart/Sun/TNT 0908-6392672. Hopeline: 8804-4673 (PLDT), 09175584673 (Globe), 09188734673 (Smart), and 2919 for Globe/TM (toll-free).

Meanwhile, here are some celebrities who admitted to experiencing anxiety attacks during pandemic: