Grief and mourning in a pandemic

This past year has been defined by incalculable loss at the hands of coronavirus, police brutality, and political violence. But have we really faced our collective grief?

Listen 49:00
Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg walks among thousands of white flags planted in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19

Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg walks among thousands of white flags planted in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020, near Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

The world just marked the one year anniversary of the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has been defined by incalculable loss at the hands of coronavirus, police brutality, and political violence. But, because of the nature of the virus, we’ve been unable to properly grieve our losses. And that has mental health professionals worried. On this show, we talk about grief and why our bodies and minds need to mourn. Albright College professor DR. KAMI FLETCHER, clinical psychologist at the Harvard School of Public Health DR. CHRISTY DENCKLA, and Einstein Medical hospital chaplain REV. MATTHEW ARLYCK are our guests.

Subscribe for more Radio Times

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal