Michigan Medicine experts address grief, trauma during pandemic, national protests

Pediatricians and child psychology and psychiatry experts partner to help answer community questions about family wellness.

Author | Beata Mostafavi

In the seventh episode of “Thrive With Your Family,” Michigan Medicine experts will discuss grief, loss and trauma related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the current protests occurring nationwide over longstanding social inequality and racial injustice.

Child and adolescent psychiatrist Polly Gipson, M.D., will join this week's discussion as a guest panelist.

The episode will be shared on June 2 at noon EST on the Mott Facebook page (@MottChildren) and the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel.

Among several topics, experts will discuss:

  • Honoring lost loved ones and addressing the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
  • How to talk to your children about what they are hearing and seeing in the news and about the loss of a loved one.
  • Emotional support from afar for family and friends who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19.
  • Coping and support within the community when usual strategies have been taken away, such as going to church, the gym or seeing family and friends, and also maintaining faith during a time of so much uncertainty.

“Thrive With Your Family” is a weekly video series hosted by Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital( to support families during the pandemic. They are broadcast on Tuesdays at noon EST on the Mott Facebook page (@MottChildren) and the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel.

The series involves a nationally recognized panel leading candid conversations about parenting, child behavior, mental health and relationships in a stressful environment.

See past Thrive episodes here. More about the series here.
Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

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