Understanding Needs of Patrons with Mental Disorders and Improving Self-Care for Library Professionals

The National Alliance of Mental Illness estimates that one in five children, teens, and adults suffer from a mental illness. With libraries functioning as a hub of the communities they support, library professionals must be prepared to serve patrons struggling with mental health needs. This course will provide library professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to address common mental disorders more confidently including: addressing challenging behaviors; learning about common mental disorders such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychosis; improving library use policies; adopting a trauma-informed approach to library services; navigating the mental health system; developing outreach and programming to reduce stigma and increase access to care; and self-care techniques to battle burnout and vicarious trauma. As a second career librarian with 20+ years of experience as a master’s level clinical psychologist, the facilitator, Dawn Behrend, is uniquely positioned to assist library professionals in better understanding their role in supporting and serving patrons with mental health disorders as well as developing techniques for engaging in self-care to prevent burn out and improve well-being.