A grief support group to overcome losses from the health crisis

Guilt or frustration are some of the sensations that may have been felt due to the loss of a loved one, a job or a relationship.

Four sessions of 90 minutes each. That is the initiative, open and free, organized by the Association of Depressive Disorders of Aragon (AFDA), a grief support group in which to face possible situations that have arisen during these days of isolation or loneliness. The objective is to offer emotional support, self-care and contribute to the grieving process.

"To the emotions of grief are added other emotions caused by confinement, by not being able to share closeness, contact in affection, by not being able to say goodbye naturally," the association points out. "It is not treatment, but support," emphasizes Javier Mediel, coordinator of AFDA, who adds that "grief is an adaptive process, not a pathological one."

"When there is a loss, people are used to saying goodbye, to closing a chapter. Not being able to share it, other feelings can arise," says the coordinator. Guilt, frustration, anger or injustice are some of those sensations that can be experienced for not having accompanied a loved one to the end, states that can be magnified. "First of all, feelings are validated and then we try to prevent them from becoming a burden that drags on over time," says Mediel. To do this, resources such as listening or psychoeducational tools are used to provide skills.

AFDA is aware that each person has different needs or sensations, so this group can be complemented with individualized attention and healthy workshops, if the user is interested. Currently the entity is made up of about 1.500 members and offers 1.000 monthly sessions. They believe that from now on this figure may increase if primary care healthcare providers detect new episodes.

According to the RAE, one of the meanings of 'grief' is "pain, pity, affliction or feeling." This can be caused by the death of a friend or family member, but it also extends to other losses. From AFDA they indicate that during confinement there have been episodes such as job layoffs or romantic breakups that are experienced as a mourning.

during confinement

The professionals of the Association of Depressive Disorders of Aragon have perceived increases in needs throughout the confinement. "The first two weeks were more or less calm, but then the requests increased," says Mediel. Some associates have experienced reactivation of symptoms or relapses, new phobias have also emerged, such as fear of leaving the house and fear of contagion. Added to these is anxiety and stress on the part of the people who have been most exposed, such as healthcare workers.

To address these needs, a "psychosocial emergency" program was launched. One of these actions has been the organization of two group meetings, apart from the grief support group, facilitated by health psychologists from AFDA. The entity has also offered online workshops to ensure the environment of well-being and emotional health.