Communicating with and caring for children who lose parents to COVID-19

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The family (back L) of Malee Manjeen, 79, who passed away earlier in the day due to Covid-19, watch from a distance as monks in personal protective equipment carry her coffin to the crematorium at Wat Chin Wararam Worawihan in Bangkok on July 30, 2021. Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

 

Losing a loved one is never easy, especially during COVID-19 when many people have lost family members without even getting to say a final “goodbye”. In the news we see that some children have lost their parents, so here is some advice from the Mental Health Department.

 

Director-General of the Mental Health Department Panpimol Wipulakorn suggested a few ways in which adults can communicate with children who lose their parents to COVID-19.

 

Children under six years old do not yet understand what death is all about, so they may believe that their parents are only gone temporarily. It is advised that adults explain the permanence of death in simple terms. For example, tell them that, when someone dies, they don’t come back. Adults can tell them they can come to them or hug them when they want to.

 

Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/communicating-with-and-caring-for-children-who-lose-parents-to-covid-19/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-03

 

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[jcmj]

Kids understand death much more than some think. Just be there for them and do the best you can. If they do have any questions, Do not lie to the kids. Console them.