It has been a stressful few months in many ways for Long Island residents, so Nassau health officials held a webinar Wednesday to try and help people cope.
The webinar started as a light-hearted hello among friends and colleagues. Then, David Hymowitz of the county's Health Department got down to business at leading how to deal with stress, trauma and anxiety during this pandemic.
He asked the group about what issues they're facing -- including self-care and sharing space with others. Then he dove into much deeper issues.
"I don't know about you guys, but how many memes and emails do you get everyday about drinking and alcohol?" says Hymowitz.
Whether the form of abuse is alcohol, drugs, physical or emotional, he says the need for some people to get some professional mental health support is critical. The one thing everyone can do to help he says is to listen.
"Listening to your family members, listening to your kids and knowing when this is just ... I expect you to feel this way versus maybe something else is going on right now and maybe a different kind of support or an intervention maybe necessary," says Hymowitz.