During these truly unprecedented times, there has been a spike in distress statements such as “I didn’t even get to say her goodbye”, “He was too young to lose his life like this”, “I could not save him” and so on. Taking cognizance of the situation, Mpower – The Centre, Kolkata has come forward to offer support to those in grief and bereavement. Through free virtual COVID grief support groups, citizens from across West Bengal can come together in a safe environment to share their experiences, and heal together.
Through these support groups, individuals who have faced similar traumatic experiences will be able to freely express themselves, air their grievances, and talk about their struggles and how it is affecting them. The essence of these groups is to reassure people that they are not alone in their situations, that others too are experiencing similar emotions, and help each other overcome these conditions. The support groups will also offer guidance and counsel to caregivers, frontline workers, and those who have been in contact with affected individuals.
Speaking about the initiative, Mrs. Neerja Birla, Founder and Chairperson, Mpower said, “It is perfectly natural to grieve the loss of a loved one, but at the same time, it can get overwhelming and can act as a trigger for mental illness. It is only when we speak up, and share our experiences with others, that we realise that we are not alone. Through our support groups, we want to create forums for individuals to come together to work with each other for mutual healing.”
These groups will be led by experienced psychologists from Mpower – The Centre, Kolkata and will have weekly sessions planned from 3 to 4 pm every Saturday. People interested to be part of these support groups can register by contacting 90735 55522.