key: cord-1031163-lshp0u5w
authors: Radoykov, S.
title: In times of crisis, anticipate mourning
date: 2020-04-02
journal: Encephale
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2020.03.002
sha: 8ab0720b37da7ae313d6b79e72d7997fb0f3872e
doc_id: 1031163
cord_uid: lshp0u5w

nan

Please cite this article in press as: Radoykov S. In times of crisis, anticipate mourning. Encéphale (2020), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.encep.2020.03.002 Last year, I graduated as a young fellow in psychiatry. Around the same time, I lost three close relatives. Two of my colleagues also lost cherished people, and their suffering deepened my own. I didn't think at the time that going through this painful grieving process would help provide me with strength and prepare me for the coronavirus pandemic ahead. Healthcare professionals are currently striving to save as many lives as possible, as we face a new global viral threat. Given the improvements in medical care in the last century, some patients are indeed saved every day. For other patients, that positive outcome is turning out to be impossible.

With over 100,000 deaths worldwide [1], many people are now grieving loved ones. Grief is a process that has evolved over centuries to help humankind overcome anxiety around death and dying. Its natural processes involve culture and tradition-based rituals that serve the purpose of overcoming the suffering while maintaining a healthy psychological bond and distance with the dead [2] . Unfortunately, due to confinement restrictions, there are reports of citizens neither being able to say goodbye to their loved ones, nor participating in essential mortuary rituals [3, 4] . The surviving population will need their mental health in order to rebuild worldwide peace of mind and regain a sense of hope and prosperity.

Current safety regulations notwithstanding, we need to remember that most people will probably overcome the COVID-19 infection, and many of them will be mourning other people. Careful planning and attention should therefore be devoted to supporting patients and families in these challenging times and arranging for some form of last human contact, either in person or via remote technology. People deserve the right to actively engage in the death process of their closest loved ones, to participate in the mortu-ary rituals, and to know where their loved one's body is located or buried.

Furthermore, and because they have no choice in the matter, caregivers will also experience grief, as a result of witnessing many passing in a brief period of time. They will need time and the possibility to recognize, validate and share their own feelings of sadness, fear and helplessness. Sometimes, as a team. Helping mourning families will ultimately help caregivers mourn, as well. Now more than ever, special care and consideration should be given to the end of life, in a sincere and straightforward way. Dignity over fear.

The author declares that he has no competing interest. Other conflicts of interest: Teaching psychotherapy and clinical hypnosis for several universities and teaching institutions.

Rituels de deuil, travail du deuil 3rd ed. France: La pensée sauvage

Hôpital Cochin, 89, rue d'Assas, 75006 Paris, France E-mail address: dr@radoykov