Learning Objectives

• Discuss the unique challenges healthcare workers face in dealing with grief and loss both in their professional and personal lives;
• Define the experience of grief and loss among healthcare workers and create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions;
• Describe how to improve communication and collaboration among healthcare teams by fostering empathy and understanding of each other's experiences with grief and loss;
• Identify how to reduce the stigma associated with seeking help for grief and loss and encourage healthcare workers to prioritize their mental health and seek support when needed;
• Recognize how to facilitate peer support networks and encourage healthcare workers to lean on each other for support and solidarity during times of grief and loss;
• Illustrate the importance of self-care practices for healthcare workers, including setting boundaries, seeking professional support, and engaging in activities that promote mental and emotional well-being; and
• Demonstrate a cultural shift within the healthcare industry towards acknowledging and addressing the emotional toll of the work, ultimately leading to improved support systems and better outcomes for both healthcare workers and patients.