City DPH, Emergence partner to present session on coping with bereavement, available support

The City of El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) and Emergence Health Network (EHN), have partnered to provide bereavement guidance and counseling support resources to those who lost loved ones due to COVID-19.

“Many members of the El Paso community have suffered the loss of loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Losing a loved one is associated with risk factors which can lead to prolonged grief disorder, post-traumatic stress, and other poor bereavement outcomes among relatives,” said Public Health Director Angela Mora.

“Bereavement is a natural part of the human experience, but it can understandably be intensely painful, and can negatively impact physical and mental health.”

In an effort to help the community learn about bereavement coping mechanisms, Emergence Health Network in collaboration with the Department of Public Health will host two community sessions in English and Spanish on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

The English session will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Spanish session at 7 p.m.

The two sessions will be led by mental health professionals, Luis Chavarria, MBA, QMHP-CS, Manager of Community Education, and Gomecindo Lopez, LPC, Director of Community Recovery Center. They will be discussing how the community can benefit from bereavement services and provide referrals for support groups for bereavement counseling.

WHAT:     Bereavement Coping Guidance Sessions

WHEN:    Wednesday, December 23, 2020 –  6:30 p.m. (English)   |    7 p.m. (Spanish)

WHERE: Download the free Microsoft Teams application and click here to join the meeting

                  Or call in (audio only): (915) 213-4096  |   Phone Conf. ID: 275 033 460#

For more COVID-19 information to include testing, vaccination, data and prevention, visit www.epstrong.org.