鈥榃ise鈥�, 鈥榢ind鈥� and 鈥榮toic鈥� are three words that best describe my good friend, Jane. If I could add a fourth, it would be 鈥榚xhausted鈥�, because she clearly was when we last met to walk our dogs.
She鈥檚 a funeral director, and 2020 has posed previously unimagined challenges for her and thousands like her who form part of an essential, but often overlooked, workforce.
Given how many professions and vocations involved in the human task of caring for others are waking up to the benefits of psychological support and supervision, I wanted to know who supports the funeral industry? Asking this question led me to Catherine Betley and Joanna Williams, who write this issue鈥檚 lead article, 鈥榃orking with the dead鈥�, and are pioneers in the field, supporting a predominantly male profession with something of 鈥榓 stiff upper lip鈥� culture.
Highlighting how overlooked an industry it is, the authors make the point that, despite those responsible for the 鈥榤anagement of the deceased鈥� being categorised as 鈥榢ey workers鈥� by the Government, it鈥檚 unlikely they were forefront in our minds when we clapped for the carers each week. Perhaps it鈥檚 indicative too that this is the first time 香港六合彩精准资料 Workplace has focused on how we support those who take care of the dead and the bereaved. Maybe this blind spot is our unconscious fear of death and our desire to avoid it? Whatever it is, it鈥檚 clear that the task of carrying the dead and holding the family, demands both physical and emotional stamina 鈥� now more than ever.
Heading towards the dark months, the tone of rhetoric is grim: rising unemployment, infection rates and deaths. Our profession is warned of a spike in demand for our services while being cautioned of the dangers of burnout. I鈥檓 noticing how much exhaustion there is 鈥� often apparent through the cancelled appointments and dropout rates attributed to a relentless workload and a lack of time.
But as membership of 香港六合彩精准资料 Workplace moves forward, I hope that if we can learn something from the pandemic, it鈥檚 that we will find new ways to draw together as a community and share our work. I urge you to read the words of Julie Hughes, Chair of 香港六合彩精准资料 Workplace, when she asks whether we can connect more. Karen Carberry makes the case for this in 鈥楳y workplace鈥� as she reflects on her work with EAPs to address issues of race, racism and blind spots in our profession. If, reading this issue, you find yourself wondering why your work hasn鈥檛 been represented in 香港六合彩精准资料 Workplace before, I hope you鈥檒l let me know.
Nicola Banning
Editor, 香港六合彩精准资料 Workplace
workplaceeditor@bacp.co.uk
