Ending the Stigma – A Mental Health Series: Lindenwood University Library Services

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Dana Abbey – Community Engagement Coordinator/Colorado

With funding from the Network of the National Library of Medicine, MidContinental Region (NNLM MCR), Lindenwood University Library Services, in St. Charles, Missouri planned a series of events to engage students and faculty in addressing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Initially, the library planned in-person programming but quickly pivoted to Instagram Live and Zoom with the pandemic. The library hosted four Instagram Live events, leading up to their headliner Zoom event with nationally recognized mental health activist.

In October 2020, the “Get To Know Your Mental Health Advocates Instagram Live” series was launched highlighting mental health services available to students. The programming allowed the library to build on existing partnerships and develop new partnerships to raise awareness of campus mental health resources. While live views of the series were lower than anticipated, there was an uptick in archival viewing.

• Live with Public Safety: ‘See Something, Say Something’. Interviewed staff from Lindenwood Public Safety Department to discuss the “See Something, Say Something” initiative and how it relates to student wellness and mental health.
• Live with Gillian Parrish: Mindfulness. A creative writing professor in the MFA in Writing program and a Lindenwood Faculty Fellow, discuss the importance of mindfulness and contemplation. She shares some exercises designed to relax the mind and recognize positive experiences in our daily lives.
• Live with Sarah: The Power of Positivity. The Director of First Year Programs, Student Academic Support Service Office and a Lindenwood Q2 Service Excellence Fellow joins in to talk about the power of positivity and how it ties to improved mental health.
• Live with the SCR. Interviewed staff from the Student Counseling and Resource Center (SCR), and highlighted resources available to students to support and improve their mental health.

The headliner event took place the end of October 2020. The library was able to get Kevin Breel, a nationally recognized mental health activist, to present live via Zoom. Kevin Breel’s TEDx Talk, “Confessions of a Depressed Comic” has over four million views, making it one of the most-watched TED talks ever on mental health. Breel’s takes audiences on an honest and humorous journey down his first-hand experience with depression. His message of ending the stigma around mental health issues resonates with a variety of audiences.

In addition to the programming, the library purchased over 50 mental health related tittles for circulation.

Funding Amount: $5,889