Librarians across the state will have access to mental health training, thanks to a $50,000 grant awarded to Mental Health America of Indiana.
The grant, from the Molina Cares Accord and Molina Healthcare, will fund a training program developed by the Training Institute at Mental Health America of Indiana.
Stephanie Anderson, chief operating officer of MHAI, says libraries have increasingly become the first place Hoosiers turn when facing a mental health challenge.
“Our libraries have really become the de facto mental health centers,” Anderson said. “They’re where people go to access resources and find out information, and we’re seeing that more and more.”
The training program will teach library staff how to have calm, compassionate conversations with patrons who may be experiencing mental health issues, identify early warning signs of a mental health crisis, and connect individuals to appropriate resources
Training will be conducted in small, interactive cohorts and will be accessible to libraries across Indiana.
Anderson says the timing reflects both the scale of the need and the unique position libraries occupy in communities statewide.
One in five Hoosiers — more than 1.2 million adults — live with a mental health condition. At the same time, Anderson says, there are three times as many libraries in the United States as hospitals, making them a natural and accessible point of entry for people seeking help.
“It’s a cool place or a warm place in the winter. Internet accessibility is there. There are books. There are things to do. It feels like a safe place,” Anderson said. “And it’s where people go to find answers. And now they can go and find answers from their librarian, who will be trained in helping them get the resources that they need if they have a mental health issue.”
The program is set to launch next week, with Mental Health America of Indiana beginning planning and initial training sessions.
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This article was written by WISHTV reporter Ashley Fowler.
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