Integrating Grief Counseling in Responses to Disasters and Epidemics

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, like other disasters and pandemics that have preceded it, has forced us to deal with the aftermath of preventable deaths, alongside despair and grief, which may impact us for many years to come. It has also reinforced the need to develop better protocols that deal with the physicality of disaster and pandemic situations, alongside the emotional aftermath brought on due grief and loss. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive grief response that will be far reaching and inclusive and can be integrated in all responses to disasters and pandemics. The objective of the study is to advocate the development of a protocol that has grief counseling at the center of all responses in disaster/pandemic management. It also suggests some recommendations for mainstreaming grief counseling within the current Psychological First Aid that is followed during disasters and pandemics situations.