Just as the
world has been placed on pause, so has life as we know it. For many the cause behind
that pause has brought the emotional heartbreak of losing loved ones to the
virus. The normal processes that are
involved in losing a loved one have become more complicated due to COVID-19,
which brings even greater stress.
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| Tara Hughes has served as Disaster Mental Health lead following numerous mass casualty events across the country, including the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, FL. |
With the
help of volunteers like Tara Hughes, the American Red Cross is offering virtual
support and assistance to families suffering those losses. Tara, along with
other specifically trained volunteers, are supporting a “Family Assistance
Center” where virtual, confidential support is offered. Tara, Northeast Division Disaster Mental
Health Advisor, states, “The program provides counselors for emotional and
spiritual support and assists in the processes needed dealing with the death of
a loved one.”
Those
processes include working with hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, and
coroners; as well as aiding in death certificates, vehicle title changes and
any other services related to the death of a loved one. Volunteers are also
providing emotional and spiritual care, delivering comfort and hope during
these difficult days.
Although this is the first large scale virtual attempt at a
Family Assistance Center, Hughes says families taking advantage of this service
have expressed their appreciation for being able to connect when everything is
harder than normal in losing a loved one. People and technology have united to
provide licensed volunteers that are well trained working with people in times
of crisis. The virtual Family Assistance Center launched on April 29th and will
remain available thru December. The virtual teams are all over New York state
and have eagerly jumped into providing and continuing to provide a connection
and assistance to those suffering and grieving. Team members call people who
fill out online forms (see links) or call an intake number.
The following links are to an online intake form which can be
submitted by a family member, a friend, or an agency on behalf of the family.
For those without online access—the following phone number
will link the caller to an intake person who will assist with the initial steps: 585-957-8187
