Mental Health Resources for Library Staff and Patrons

Posted by Bobbi Newman on August 3rd, 2021 Posted in: Blog
Tags: mental health, mental health resources

Many people are experiencing increased stress and anxiety as we continue to battle COVID-19.  A blog post from the director of the National Institute of Mental Health states “The mental health impacts of COVID-19 continue. From all that we know, it is clear these impacts will outlive the pandemic itself.”[1] The American Psychological Association reports that many people are coping with their stress in unhealthy ways including increased alcohol consumption.[2]

Mental Health Resources

Mental Health from MedlinePlus Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life.

How to Improve Mental Health from MedlinePlus: provides health information and tips for improving your mental health.

Depression from MedlinePlus  Depression is more than just a feeling of being sad or “blue” for a few days. If you are one of the more than 19 million teens and adults in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away.

Anxiety from MedlinePlus  Anxiety is a feeling of fear, dread, and uneasiness. It might cause you to sweat, feel restless and tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. It can be a normal reaction to stress. For example, you might feel anxious when faced with a difficult problem at work, before taking a test, or before making an important decision.

SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.

Caring for your Mental Health – National Institute on Mental Health Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, act, make choices, and relate to others. Mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.

NIH Emotional Wellness Toolkit: This NIH toolkit provides six strategies for improving your emotional health. 

NIH Social Wellness Toolkit: This NIH toolkit provides six strategies for improving your social health.

CDC COVID-19: Care for Yourself: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on caring for yourself, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC COVID-19: Coping With Stress: CDC provides information on how to cope with stress, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get immediate help in a crisis

Call 911

Disaster Distress Helpline

• 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish)
• text TalkWithUs for English or Hablanos for Spanish to 66746.
• Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English,
• 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish
• Lifeline Crisis Chat 

National Domestic Violence Hotline

• 1-800-799-7233
• text LOVEIS to 22522

National Child Abuse Hotline 

• 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453)
• text 1-800-422-4453

National Sexual Assault Hotline

• 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
• Online Chat 

The Eldercare Locator 

• 1-800-677-1116  TTY Instructions

Veteran’s Crisis Line

• 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Chat 
• text: 8388255

Find a health care provider or treatment for substance use disorder and mental health

SAMHSA’s National Helpline

• 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• TTY 1-800-487-4889
• Treatment Services Locator Website
• Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centers 

[1] Joshua Gordon, “NIMH Director’s Messages.”

[2] American Psychological Association, “One Year Later, a New Wave of Pandemic Health Concerns.”

ABOUT Bobbi Newman
Bobbi Newman (MLIS, MA) is the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist for NNLM R6 at the University of Iowa. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace: A Guide for Libraries. She developed the popular NNLM course “Wellness in the Library Workplace.” Bobbi is a mindfulness student and a member of Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH). She currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board for Let’s Move in Libraries. She divides her time between her dog, reading fantasy and nonfiction, playing video games, crafting, kayaking, biking, and gardening.

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