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.

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.