BOISE, Idaho — The pandemic hasn't been easy for anyone, and it's potentially even been caused more feelings of loss of stress to come up for some.
St. Luke's offers a class that addresses types of loss to understand grief and come up with strategies for healing.
"its important to recognize that we take all types of losses in our life, grief is universal," said Tara Lyon, bereavement coordinator for St. Luke's Hospice.
The class turned virtual on Tuesday.
"I am noticing that there is a higher number that may be attending this virtual class," said Lyon.
The pandemic has both added and complicated grief. There's the isolation, financial burden, and Carrie Panzer, program manager for behavioral health at St. Luke's, says for many it's bringing up past losses and stresses.
"Our goal really with this class r is to help our community identity what they're feeling and the losses they're experiencing, whether that's COVID related or a different kind of loss," said Panzer,
"there's a lot of individuals that have lost their job unfortunately as result of the coronavirus."
The class also covers the loss people feel when a loved one is diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimers. "
Dementia I've heard grief experts say you experience a loss twice, so at the time of diagnosis, you and your loved one are grieving knowing what's to come with Dementia or Alzheimers, and then you grieve again at time of death," said Panzer.
People grieve in different ways, but the class helps offer support to help you continue.
"It's a process and we never get over a loss or the death a loved one, for example, but we learn to move forward and to heal and for many to make meaning out of the losses that we've experienced," said Panzer.
To find out about future classes, you can contact the group by email at bereavementsupport@slhs.org or call 208-381-2721.
