(originally published in the Uniondale Herald website on 12/5/25; written by Susanna Ciurleo)
The holiday season is considered a joyful time that is often quietly burdened by stress, loneliness, and unresolved grief.
Trudy King invited people to confront these emotions head-on as the organizer and host of “Overcoming Holiday Blues,” a wellness workshop held at the John J. Byrne Community Center in Uniondale on Nov. 22.
Guidance on recognizing and managing anxiety, stress, depression, and loss was offered. Participants were also given a creative outlet through spoken-word, poetry, and hands-on self-help activities.
King is a director of the Apostolic Caribbean Christians, a not-for-profit community group that sponsors civic events in partnership with the Town of Hempstead, such as Caribbean flag-raisings, heritage celebrations, and gospel evenings.
“We have a training element as well,” she said, “offering courses every month in such topics as mental health awareness, conflict resolution, and parent and family relationships. One of my favorites is called ‘Set for Success’, where we, for example, help a stay-at-home mom rebuild her confidence and manage her time and money, in order to prepare her for meeting the next job opportunity head-on.”
King noted that 89 percent of people experience an increase in issues relating to mental health over the holidays, and this workshop was created in response to the emotional strain many people feel during a period that can amplify financial worries, family tensions, or the absence of loved ones.
Author and life coach Angie McDonald from Wounded2Wonderful Coaching joined on Zoom. McDonald offered practical ways to address each stage of grief to heal and grow, particularly from the loss of a loved one that coincides with the holiday season.
Spoken-word and poetry instructors Janet Wade and Dr. Beryl Williams led participants in translating their feelings into verse through writing prompts and group sharing. Williams, the founder of the Caribbean American Poetry Association, said that even those who initially doubted their creative abilities surprised themselves by how much they could express through writing.
“It’s particularly effective in a group setting such as this,” Williams said. “Another person may inform what they themselves are feeling, and give them the courage to express themselves as well. Writing processes both the pain and pleasures of life.”
Wade, an award-winning poet, added: “Poetry is an anchor. You can take a negative emotion and turn it into a positive one.”
A range of age groups attended. Recent college graduate Samisha Elyse presented products from her skincare line Shea Elysee LLC, while Khaliyfah Megadine, 28, a social media influencer and content creator, said that inspiring wellness is the foundation of her work.
“Thankfully, there is a light being shone on mental health and our younger generation, but I feel that we can do more,” Magadine said. “I don’t want young people to wait until they’re older and burnt out to make mental health a priority. It needs to happen now.”
She, along with Sherry Williams, founder of the Together We Serve Food Pantry, was among the long-time volunteers, including Tilda Francis and Paulette Moore, who received a Certificate of Appreciation signed by local community leaders for their hard work and dedication.
King said she is grateful for the support of the Community Center and her partnership with local restaurants that provide food for these sessions, and she hopes to expand the workshops through sponsorships and grants.
“At the end of this session, I hope the participants will walk away empowered by new tools to recognize and manage signs of anxiety, stress, grief, and depression,” she said. “I want them to give themselves permission to respond to these overwhelming emotions with compassion rather than shame and self-criticism.”
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