Covid-19: separazione e lutto. È possibile un “tempo nutriente” dell’attesa?

• Main Author: Marzia Marsili
• Format: Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Psicologi per i Popoli : Federazione 2020-09-01
• Series: Rivista di Psicologia dell'Emergenza e dell'Assistenza Umanitaria
• Subjects: covid-19; separation; mourning; waiting
• Online Access: http://www.psicologiperipopoli.it/files/Numero%2022%2056-79.pdf

The aim of this paper is to reflect on sorrow, grief and mourning following the Covid-19 pandemic, which globally has caused major effects on population and its physical and mental health. The virus has caused a very high number of unexpected deaths and of separations, while lockdown measures have also affected society as a whole - such as people being prevented from traditional grief rituals like saying farewell; family disposal of the body; etc. The importance of dedicating time and space to rituals and other symbolic actions to facilitate grief work and deal with the pain associated with it is well known. The psychological support offered by the psychologists of the association Psicologi per i Popoli - Trentino has helped people in situations of great fragility to navigate through a time of suffering, such as that experienced in the uncertain waiting for the fate of family members or loved ones hospitalised in intensive care units, facilitating the transformation of this painful uncertainty into a “nourishing time of waiting”.