The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is the largest county-operated unit of its kind in the United States, working with 250,000 residents each year. Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Director of Mental Health for the department, tells Inside the Issues a lack of physical contact during the COVID-19 outbreak can cause a lot of stress for those in quarantine.

He said feelings of depression or loneliness while sheltering in place are completely normal.

“For individuals who are staying at home - it’s really really critical to keep healthy routines. Sleeping, eating and exercising is very important.”

He said developing new routines, like identifying a new hobby or reaching out to people are great ideas. 

RELATED:

• Ask Ariel: Your SoCal Coronavirus Questions Answered
• Coronavirus Updates: What to Know in SoCal

“We have to maintain our connectivity as individuals with our network, reach out to others, and, frankly, as a collective, this is our biggest tool to combat the virus.”

Watch the clip above for more.

Let Inside the Issues know your thoughts and watch Monday through Friday at 8 and 11 p.m. on Spectrum News 1.