'You're not alone' -- Take care of your mental health during pandemic

Mar. 20--You're not alone.

That was the message from Jessica Pirro, the CEO of Crisis Services who addressed concerns about mental health amid the pandemic gripping the globe.

"This is a stressful time for everyone," she told reporters at a telenews conference Thursday. "Anxiety is normal. This is to be expected. We're all feeling this. And we're all in this together."

Pirro encouraged the public to find ways to allay fears in healthy ways, such as taking walks outside and staying connected with loved ones, which can be challenging while keeping a safe distance to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

"We have to be socially distant," she said. "But we don't need to be emotionally distant."

County officials shared phone numbers for hotlines for anyone seeking help during these turbulent times:

24-Hour Addiction Hotline: 831-7007

24-Hour Crisis Hotline 834-3131

24-Hour Erie County Domestic Violence Hotline: 862-HELP (4357)

24-Hour Emergency Mental Health Mobile Response Services (for 18 and over): 834-3131

For youth and their families and caretakers, call Spectrum Crisis & Re-Stabilization Emergency Services (CARES): 882-4357

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