Dominique Van Pelt of the Onslow County Health Department discussed how the holidays can increase stress and affect mental and physical health, and she outlined local resources for residents.

Van Pelt described typical symptoms of holiday stress—headaches, changes in sleep or appetite and difficulty making decisions—and suggested simple self-care practices such as journaling, gratitude exercises and family walks. She demonstrated a brief breathing technique (counting four seconds in, hold, four seconds out, hold) as an example of a stress-management tool.

On supporting others, Van Pelt recommended checking in, offering to walk together and connecting people who need more help to formal resources. She emphasized the 988 suicide prevention hotline as a direct option for immediate support: 'Dialing 988 is a suicide prevention hotline.'

Van Pelt also provided contact information for in-person services at the Onslow County Health Department (612 College Street, Downtown Jacksonville) and a phone number ((910) 347-2154) for appointments and referrals.

Why it matters: Seasonal stress can worsen mental-health conditions and increase risk for those in crisis; the health department framed these as addressable with low-cost supports and crisis resources.

Van Pelt closed with encouragement to slow down and seek support where needed.