RBWM sadly reported the death of one of its officers today. We sympathise deeply, and wish to pass on guidance to help you deal with bereavement and grief?
“you are not alone” so, reach out if you need help or support.
7 April 2020. RBWM MD, Duncan Sharkey today reported the death of a member of staff from Covid19. Duncan wrote, “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you about the death of one of our team members. Dave Lee, who was a community warden, sadly lost his battle with COVID-19 last night.
He was a valued member of the community warden team providing support and reassurance to our communities especially in Maidenhead Town Centre and had been at the council since December 2015.
I will be speaking to his family to give them our deepest sympathies and will offer my support to them at this very difficult time.”
I, and we, echo those sentiments, and express our deepest sympathies to Mr Lee’s family, friends, loved ones and colleagues.
What can you do to help cope with grief, either if you yourself are suffering, or know someone who is?
Click on the links at each bullet point for more help
There are so many questions, conflicting emotions, and contradictions.
Reference *1 CRUSE
- How to deal with “Grieving and isolation“
- What if you are suffering a “Traumatic bereavement”
- What happens with “Funerals”
- How to manage “Anger and blame”
- What if you are “Feeling guilty”
- Feeling your bereavement is not a priority
- How bereavement and grief affects, “Children and young people”
- “What to say to someone who is bereaved”
How to know if you are experiencing grief?
Reference *2 NHS
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- shock and numbness – this is usually the first reaction to loss, and people often talk about “being in a daze”
- overwhelming sadness, with lots of crying
- tiredness or exhaustion
- anger – towards the person you’ve lost or the reason for your loss
- guilt – for example, guilt about feeling angry, about something you said or did not say, or not being able to stop your loved one dying
What can you do to help yourself, or others?
NHS website suggests that you DO Reference *2 NHS
- try talking about your feelings to a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor – you could also contact a support organisation such as Cruse Bereavement Care or call: 0808 808 1677
- try the 6 ways to feel happier, which are simple lifestyle changes to help you feel more in control and able to cope
- find out about how to get to sleep if you’re struggling to sleep
- consider peer support, where people use their experiences to help each other. Find out more about peer support on the Mind website
- listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides
- search and download relaxation and mindfulness apps or online community apps from the NHS Apps library
I hope you chart these troubled waters safely, and remember, “you are not alone” so, reach out if you need help or support.
Accountably yours,
Wisdom
Cllr Wisdom Da Costa, WWRA, Clewer & Dedworth West
References
- Cruse Bereavement Care: Dealing with bereavement and grief https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-dealing-bereavement-and-grief
- NHS; Grief after bereavement or loss https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement/
Caveat
- This post is part of the WWRA Councillors regular series of Blogs to inform and empower local residents; as promised in their election leaflet
- It is also to comply with clause v of the Members Code of Conduct which states, “You must be as open as possible about your decisions and actions and the decisions and actions of your authority and should be prepared to give reasons for those decisions and actions.”
- The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the West Windsor Residents Association (WWRA).
- Any errors are unintentional so, I would value you bringing them to my intention so I can correct them. You can Email me [email protected]
