Wendy Lichtenthal, Ph.D.Bereavement is a significant public health issue, with those grieving facing increased risks for mental health challenges, heart disease, cancer and even death. In a paper in The Lancet Public Health, researchers from Sylvester and other institutions stressed the urgent need for greater investment in grief support services, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising suicide rates and global conflicts, which have exacerbated bereavement-related suffering.
The paper introduced a transitional bereavement care model, advocating for integrating bereavement services into health care organizations and community-based support. This model aims to ensure that families receive continuity of care and emotional support following a loved one’s death.
The researchers emphasized the need for health systems to not only improve their own bereavement services, but to also help build community resources, creating “compassionate communities” that can offer ongoing support.
Wendy Lichtenthal, Ph.D., an NIH-funded researcher and founding director of Sylvester’s Center for the Advancement of Bereavement Care, was the corresponding author of the paper. She called for a paradigm shift in how health care professionals and institutions view bereavement care and highlighted the importance of education and training in grief support. The model proposed in the paper outlines key pillars, including preventive bereavement care, resource allocation and community involvement. Sylvester’s center aims to lead in implementation of these pillars, serving as a model for grief-informed health care systems.