Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, grief was and is a normal part of the workplace, especially when you work in health care. As a leader, it鈥檚 often hard to know what to do. The Resiliency Center鈥檚 Megan Whitlock draws from the wisdom of colleagues to share four practical ways to manage grief in the workplace.
By Megan Whitlock | 3 minutes
Grief arises after we face loss: a change in roles, shifts in values and belief systems, death or illness. You may be feeling grief right now as our world transforms with the Covid-19 pandemic. As we transform with each loss, there is no doubt that we carry the impact with us鈥 even to the workplace. While the nature of grief is subjective and wayward, there are helpful things leaders can do to facilitate grieving in the workplace.
TALK ABOUT THE UNCERTAINTY
Many teams are currently facing uncertainty about their work. Those grappling with redeployment face leaving behind a familiar team and support network, as well as having to rapidly learn new skills and confront new challenges. Nursing director Trell Inzunza spent many years preparing fellow sailors to deploy when she was a non-commissioned officer in the Navy. She recommends addressing the stress that employees feel during uncertainty, both at work and at home.
"Try asking exploratory questions鈥揾ow do you deal with stress? What are some things you can do regularly to address stress? Do you have a support network of friends you can emotionally rely on? Talk about what they're feeling. Helping employees prepare for upcoming stress is something the military regularly does, and it's something we can borrow from now."
Leaders are not alone in providing support to their teams. The Resiliency Center is currently offering Covid-19 Virtual Support Sessions, which provide emotional support, coping tips and connection for all personnel working in patient care areas during the Covid-19 crisis.
TAKE A MOMENT
People who are grieving often notice that feelings can overwhelm them unexpectedly. 人妻中出视频 care professionals may find themselves similarly taken by surprise emotions, especially when there is a difficult patient outcome.
鈥淲hen our group lost a number of pediatric patients, coming together to share our feelings was instrumental in grieving. Each of us wondered what we could have done differently. Being able to express those sentiments within a team that was feeling the same way made it ok. It is never easy to lose a patient, particularly a 人妻中出视频, yet the common bond of our clinical staff helped us all to heal a little sooner and to become stronger in our service to other families.鈥
Wendy L. Hobson-Rohrer, MD, Associate Vice President, 人妻中出视频 Sciences Education
One tool used in some medical settings is 鈥.鈥1 This is a practice of pausing together as a team after a patient death. The pause takes about one minute and is a chance to honor the patient by holding silence, recognizing that the person was loved, and acknowledging the efforts given in their care. This practice has shown to help team members acknowledge feelings of grief and distress. View and download a script for performing the pause
LEARN HOW GRIEF WORKS
Grief is meant to slow us down. The whole body suffers grief, therefore the whole body needs to process it. Whether the loss is big or small, some part of our life as we know it has ended. By slowing down, the body and brain can mourn; one can begin to comprehend a different version of life. Eventually, we make meaning while moving forward鈥攈onoring that which was lost.
鈥淥ur small team experienced deaths of two colleagues only a few days apart. We really worked to uniquely acknowledge and create space for each individual. For one, we held a session facilitated by the Resiliency Center and a Chaplain; for the other, an avid writer, we have a writing workshop planned. I鈥檓 so grateful I get to share space with a team that has been so deeply supportive of me, and of one another. I know I鈥檓 not alone in my grief.鈥
Ashlee Bright, Communications and Public Affairs Director Huntsman Cancer Institute
The opportunity to make our own meaning is true for all losses, not just those associated with death. Some examples of non-death losses include divorce or changes in a relationship; illness of self or loved ones; and job or role changes. Having a better understanding can foster compassion for ourselves and others.
GET AND GIVE SUPPORT
There are many options for employees to get support. Chaplains support patients spiritually throughout their stay, especially through the death process. They accompany other team members when it comes to the emotional care of patients, families, and staff dealing with loss
鈥淥n the palliative care team, I facilitate a weekly ritual of remembrance and release of the patients that passed in the previous week. This helps us find closure each week, creating space for the next. We say each person's name, allow for silence or conversation about how the patient or families have touched us. Then the dissipating sound from striking a singing bowl, reminds us how something experienced changes over time.鈥
There is a grief support group for both community members and employees called "." Sessions occur throughout the year, on campus and in various locations throughout the valley.
The is also available to all 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频 employees. Individuals can meet with a mental health expert for a resilience consult, which is a great place to start for anyone wondering if they should talk to someone. The Resiliency Center can work with teams affected by loss, including the death of a colleague or an adverse patient outcome.
鈥淲hen our co-worker died suddenly on a weekend I reached out to the Resiliency Center for grief support for staff. Even though it was just a small group that participated, many appreciated that the opportunity was offered. The culture at work is a natural place of friendships, caring for each other and demonstrating support of each other.鈥
Amy Sikalis, Director Research and Science, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences
Many individuals at the 人妻中出视频 reach out on a daily basis to each other as friends, peers, mentors, etc. These relationships often carry a natural avenue for peace and healing. If this isn鈥檛 so natural for you, is a good place to start.
However you get or give support, each effort strengthens a shifting belief in the health care landscape鈥攖hat it鈥檚 ok to be human at work.
REFERENCES
1. Crumbie-Barrick K, Black J. Caring for the caregiver: nurses鈥 responses to critical incidents and interventions to improve coping. Oral presentation at: Ohio State 人妻中出视频 Summit on Promoting Well-Being and Resilience in 人妻中出视频care Providers; September, 2018; Columbus, OH
CONTRIBUTOR
Megan Jean Whitlock
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Good Talk Therapy