AUTHOR=Das Sreeja , Singh Tushar , Varma Rahul , Arya Yogesh Kumar 

TITLE=Death and Mourning Process in Frontline Health Care Professionals and Their Families During COVID-19

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624428

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624428

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=The COVID-19 epidemic has mushroomed globally disrupting the existence of millions. In view of this current situation, the frontline professionals are looped in the clutch of the virus who are relatively more exposed to the patients infected with the disease. In this precarious situation, the frontline professionals have contributed their best to provide utmost care to the patients infected with the ailment, thus displaying their altruistic behaviour. The direct involvement has taken a toll on physical health as well as on the mental well-being of the frontline professionals. Frontline health care workers engaged in the direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients with COVID-19 were associated with a higher risk of symptoms of depression. In the recent studies, lack of personal protection equipment, an unreasonable amount of work, improper medicines, fear of contracting the disease, spreading the disease to the co-workers and family, and lack of skilled training have interposed the frontline workers with unimaginable stress (Lai et al., 2020). Due to the widespread outbreak, the death count of the frontline professionals has also surged. However, scarce literature has been explored regarding the physical and mental welfare of frontline professionals, especially health wellness workers. To address this aperture, the present paper attempt to highlight the impact on the families caused due to the death of the frontline workers followed by the mourning processes and complicated grief. Additionally, psychological support and few recommendations have been made for safeguarding the healthcare professionals and their bereaved family.