The Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread its tentacles of impact in ways we are just beginning to understand. We have lost loved ones, jobs, and our ability to live our lives in the way we are accustomed. In response, Rainbow Hospice and United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties, are joining efforts to reach out extensively across our communities, to address how we have experienced the impact of grief and loss in the past year.  When we lose someone or something, grief is the natural response. Grief looks different for everyone and may include: periods of deep sadness, feeling angry or irritable, a loss of purpose in doing the things we love, and physical symptoms such as insomnia or unexplained aches in our body.  

We are discovering that many people are grieving and they are not recognizing it as grief. We tend to diminish our own grief, believing that someone else is experiencing a worse or more significant loss. Dr. Kenneth Doka, a well-respected grief counselor, made the following statement, “The worst grief is the one that is happening to you right now.”  This means that all losses are worth grieving. Whether it is job loss, relationship losses, missed milestones, or significant events, you may grieve in whatever way is helpful to you. It is okay to acknowledge your loss and grief, no matter the loss.  

A 2018 study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine discovered that employees who receive support for mental health issues such as depression reported better overall work performance and a decrease in absenteeism. Having access to supportive services benefits the individual as well as the company or organization the individual is a part of.  We hope completing this survey will give you insight into the needs that may be present in the employees or members of your business or organization.
  
We have compiled the following survey on the impact of the pandemic for two purposes: 

1.  To provide an opportunity for you to assess how the pandemic has emotionally impacted your business/organization.  
2.  To alert you to avenues of help and support that are available for those who are struggling with grief and loss as a result of the pandemic. These losses include not only deaths but also job loss or transition, loss of relationships, loss of quality of life due to the pandemic, or other losses that impact mental or emotional wellbeing.

Read through the questions and answer to the best of your ability knowing no loss is too small. Covid-19 has taken a lot. Consider what you have lost and the losses those in your business or organization have experienced.

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