LIBRARIES AND MENTAL HEALTH Present day facts and statistics Approximately 26.

.2% of adults in the United States will suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year About 6% will suffer from a severe mental illness. Many suffer from more than one illness at a given time (comorbidity) Worldwide, mental illnesses account for over 15% of the burden of disease in established market economies, About 1/3 of the homeless in America today have untreated mental illnesses Mental health libraries for staff Located in hospitals or other mental health facilities Intended for use by doctors, therapists, nurses, other staff Usually separate from patient libraries Historical texts, contemporary texts, professional journals on discoveries and treatments Under threat of downsizing or closing due to hospital budget constraints Hospitals are not required to have libraries but they are an important asset Outreach services in the community and partnership with public libraries Mental health libraries for patients families Located in hospitals or other mental health facilities Books and pamphlets on disorders and their treatments To help families understand diagnoses and treatments Alleviate anxieties and fears, give understanding and hope Mostly non-clinical writing Mental Health Academic Research Centers Academic libraries For use of students, faculty, and the community Assistance with research for papers, grants, teaching Databases Interlibrary loan with other universities and colleges Patient libraries in mental health facilities Part of moral treatment in the U.S. in the first half of the 19th century Focus is predominantly on recreation as part of recovery Self-help materials are stocked as well Audio-visual materials, picture books, large print, foreign language materials Run like small branch public libraries A quiet welcoming place for patients Reading discussion groups, bibliotherapy, play-reading, creative writing programs

 Public libraries provide some interlibrary loan services Computers for patient use; allowance for internet usage varies Public libraries Due to deinstitutionalization, increased number of people with mental health issues are using the public library Partner with community mental health programs for advice and training on understanding and interacting with mentally ill patrons Most people with mental health issues use the library without issue The public library is a lifeline for people dealing with mental illness Library collections should include stock mental health materials Partner with community mental health centers and group homes Bibliotherapy Promoted by Dr Benjamin Rush and John Minson Galt II in the U.S. in the early 19th century Self-help resources, novels, poetry, plays Allows insight and helps with self-expression Few formal studies have been done Recreational reading can be therapeutic in its own right Benefits vary depending on illness and other therapy

Melanie Wilson LIS 701 02 Fall 2009 wilsmela@my.dom.edu