It’s not just our problem is it?  The whole world has been swept up in the Covid-19 pandemic.

But there are other hidden pandemics emerging as well I think.

The Pandemic of Grief: 
Let’s face it, grief is difficult and painful enough as it is without the added issues of not being with our loved ones in their final moments, limited access to funerals, and social distancing preventing face to face work or that close contact for comfort and consolation.

With the thousands of people who have died, there is a tidal wave of unresolved grief; unfinished conversations; no final goodbyes; and enormous loss, abandonment, hurt and bewilderment.

One bereavement charity described the current situation as a “tsunami of tears”.

How do you respond to that with a client?

Are you able to even begin to respond to that, if you have your own “tsunami of tears” to handle?

The Pandemic of Domestic Abuse:
“Stay Safe.  Stay Home.....” – but what if home is absolutely NOT safe.

Refuge and other domestic abuse support charities have reported an unprecedented rise in requests for help from both men and women.  Again thousands of people imprisoned at home with an abuser; enormous hurt, abandonment, bewilderment and fear.

As restrictions ease options for a safe escape increase with a huge need to support those seeking emergency support.

Even if you have worked previously with domestic abuse issues and victims, how prepared are you for this tidal wave of experience right now?

What do you need for yourself within this work?

Both these “pandemics” have been widely covered and discussed in the media.

But I want to suggest other “pandemics” as well.

Loneliness; Childhood Behaviour; Anxiety; Anger & Violence; Suicide......

What other pandemics would you identify that I have missed?

What is your own experience of lockdown, self-isolation, relationship management?

If, like me, much of your work is home-based anyway regardless of any pandemic and restrictions, you may have been able to continue working depending on your particular trade.

So what do we in that situation have to say to those who have been furloughed, been made redundant etc?

How do we empathise with a client whose experience we have not shared?

A neighbour of mine, struggling recently with significant work issues, her own ill health, and her partner’s mild heart attack, said to me the other day, “If it’s not one thing, it’s another”.

It’s not just one pandemic.  Others are available.

And that means there are a lot of questions at every level, in every scenario, and for all of us.

So here’s another .....what are you doing for yourself?

And what are you doing for others?