By Tangerine Clarke
Mental Health and Wellness,
was the focus on Monday, June
8, at a virtual town hall discussion,
hosted on Facebook Live
by the office of Senator Roxanne
Persaud, and joined by
community leaders who outlined
ways to access information
to cope during the COVID-
19 pandemic.
Senator Persaud (D), who
represents parts of Canarsie,
East New York, Brownsville,
Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay,
Bergen Beach, Marine Park,
Flatlands, Ocean Hill and Starrett
City in District 19, Brooklyn,
spoke of the importance of
enlightening and sharing information
pertaining to mental
health and wellness, to those
who feel hopeless.
“It is okay, when you feel like
you are not okay. We all have
anxiety,” she said, and urged
the community to seek help
Senator Roxanne Persaud and other participants during a
virtual townhall on mental health and wellness.
by reaching out to healthcare
organizations.
Asst. Commissioner, Dept.
of Health and Mental Hygiene,
Myla Harrison MD MPH NYC,
in a slide presentation, shared
that her office is closely monitoring
Caribbean L 6 ife, June 12-18, 2020
indicators to remain
aware of the behavioral health
impact of COVID-19 and needs
of New Yorkers.
The program will provide
support, screening and detection
for behavioral health challenges
to meet these needs now
and in the future.
“NYC Well” staff is available
24/7 and can provide brief
counseling and referrals to care
in over 200 languages. For support,
call 888-NYC-WELL (888-
692-9355), text “WELL” to 65173
or chat at nyc.gov/nycwell.
NYS COVID-19 Emotional
Support Helpline could be
reached at 844-863-9314 from
8 am to 10 pm, seven days a
week. The helpline is staffed
with specially trained volunteer
professionals who are there to
listen, support and offer referrals
if needed.
Pols to distribute
free face masks
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Assemblymember
Rodneyse Bichotte
(D-42), together with District
Leader Josue Pierre
(42-AD) and Rev. Dr. James
A. Thornton, will be distributing
face masks and hand
sanitizers in Brooklyn on
Friday, June 12.
The event will be held at
the Salem Missionary Baptist
Church from 1:00 pm
– 3:00 pm.
“Flatbush has been especially
hard-hit by COVID-
19,” said Bichotte, the
daughter of Haitian immigrants,
who has hosted
many distributions in the
district.
“I have been advocating
for PPE (personal protective
equipment) for our
community since the pandemic
began, and the turnout
at each event is an indicator
that we need to keep
these resources coming,”
she added.
Pierre said: “With the
prospect of a second wave
on the horizon, we must
continue to emphasize
the importance of social
distancing and wearing
masks.
“I am grateful to our
sponsors for their contributions
to this event and
the residents of Flatbush,”
he said.
Sponsors of the event are
the Brooklyn Borough Hall,
New York City Office of the
Mayor and HealthFirst.
Vendors in attendance
will include NYC Census
2020 and NYC Board of
Elections.
“I see the impact of
COVID-19 in our community
firsthand,” said Rev.
Thornton. “The church
is happy to partner with
Assemblymember Bichotte
and District Leader Pierre
for this distribution.
“We must meet the needs
of the community wherever,
and however, we can,”
he added.
Sen. Persaud
discusses
mental health,
wellness at
town hall
This is not an offer for credit. All applications are subject to the Bank’s normal underwriting and credit approval process. © 2020 Hanover Community Bank. All rights reserved. NMLS ID # 764648
/nycwell