Grief data & information: We are in a global crisis
What is GRIEF?
Grief by definition is often left open to interpretation and is also subjective in nature. Bereavement is the actual loss, and grief is the inward reaction. A reaction often described with use of the following:
deep sorrow, sadness, misery, anguish, pain, distress, agony, torment, affliction, suffering, heartache, and heartbreak
Frequently professionals refer to the 5 Stages of Grief, developed by Elisabeth Kubler Ross & David Kessler. This continuum of grief is not static but dynamic in that a person struggling with grief may go from one stage or place within their grief and then discover that they are in another place in a short period of time. So, in reviewing the stages below they are not actually stages but characteristics of grief that may change from day to day. Note the following:
denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance
(Resource: 'On Death and Dying' by Elisabeth Kubler Ross; 1969)
Grief is a natural reaction to loss. A human emotion and a journey without a timeline. An experience no one escapes.
Since the beginning, grief has been a part of the human journey, with its beginnings recalled by many with the story of Cane & Abel. Thousands of years ago, these parents, known as Adam & Eve, lost a child through violence. And in that moment of such cruel violence humanity encountered grief. The challenge with grief and its inward pain is the human propensity to "get stuck," as Dr. Alan Wolfelt states in his book entitled "Living in the Shadow of the Ghosts of Grief...Step Into the Light." A person response to grief in terms of sadness and sorrow is normal yet to be emotionally whole as life moves forward "active mourning" is paramount for inward healing to occur and quality of life to resume. Without question, this process is "hard work" and work some want to avoid, for we live in a "grief avoidance" society. The word 'grief' in and of itself is a dark and dismal word which often creates the need to ignore the obvious, when in reality, the real need is to seek out a compassionate grief life coach and a companion that embraces your journey and is willing to walk the distance regardless of time.
As Dora Carpenter, Founder of the Institute of Professional Grief Coaching, says, along with many additional authors within scholarly literature, "we grieve because we loved."
Data: United States, United Kingdom, and Globally
As of January 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States reports in excess of 840,000 deaths due to the pandemic crisis.
The United Kingdom through www.coronavirus.data.gov.uk reports 150,000+ deaths due to the pandemic. Britain's death toll is the second highest in Europe, behind only Russia, with the death rate being 7% higher than the European Union average (Reuters).
John Hopkins University reports a country-by-country global pandemic death total in excess of 5.5 million deaths.
(Source: www.coronavirus.jhu.edu)
The Connection between Grief Life Coaching & the Current Pandemic Crisis
With the staggering statistics of 5.5 million deaths on a global scale, Grief Life Coaching provides a positive forward-moving path from grief to healing to hope.
The ripple effect of the pandemic grief crisis shrouds our world at this time. Statistically speaking, the data suggests that a grief crisis now presents at monumental proportions as compared to reported data prior to the Covid19 pandemic.
This ripple effect most importantly includes the healthcare community, for whom Mourning Joy calls 'OUR HEROES':
First Responders. Physicians. Nurses. Certified Nurse Aides. Epidemiologists. Pulmonologists. Social Workers. Respiratory Therapists. Physical Therapists. Occupational Therapists. Speech Therapists. Allied Health Professionals. And ALL employed within a healthcare system.
Our healthcare community has lived with anticipatory grief and actual grief associated with the daily loss of patients for whom they have provided intensive and rehabilitation care. Our healthcare community has provided this level of intensive and stressful care for over two plus years. And on a global scale, this level of care as of 2022 continues to impose grief, burnout, and stress on a daily basis.
And for every life lost due to the pandemic, it is also important to remember the millions of lives impacted with grief. For every life lost, scholarly literature reports that at least 5 people are impacted with grief. This calculates to a minimum of 27+ million now living with grief. Per Mourning Joy's educated thought this number appears low and fails to accurately represent the grief crisis now overwhelming our world.
The 27+million and more people suffering with 'grief' specific to the pandemic, does not include 'grief' that everyone at some point in their life may experience, such as natural death, traumatic/sudden death, loss of health, independence, careers, divorce, and non-traditional loss such as the death of a child and/or parent during a child's early developmental years.
Thus, a profound international need exists for early intervention through Grief Life Coaching with a ICF credentialed Grief Life Coach. Mourning Joy is here to walk the grief journey from the point of loss until one discovers a place of healing and hope through active mourning.
At this time, services are provided with use of technology via Zoom, Skype, Duo, and whatever virtual app is convenient for the client. So, a client can be in the comfort of their own home with a cup of coffee and still receive quality Grief Life Coaching services that ultimately navigate one from "grief to healing to hope through active mourning," Intake paperwork discloses policies, confidentiality, and the process of Grief Life Coaching.
To schedule an appointment with one of our Grief Life Coaches, email Sonja R Camden at: scamden@mourningjoy.net.