HOLYOKE — When the Holyoke Public Library opens its doors each day, library director Maria Pagán knows that people from neighborhoods across the city will be looking for not only books — many are also in desperate need of social services.

“In the last five years public libraries have seen an increasing volume of patrons who are experiencing homelessness, substance use and mental illness,” said Pagán. “Because of this, library staff need to be better equipped to provide excellent service to all patrons.”

Pagán and other library directors are now searching for ways to help these people, and they’re turning to experts in the field.

“As librarians, we are trained to educate and provide information, but we are not trained in social work. We also need to learn mental health first aid. Having partners with mental health expertise will help train and equip our staff to better serve our community,” she said.

The Holyoke Library and Springfield City Library have found just such a partner in Holyoke-based MiraVista. The organization offers psychiatric care for adults and adolescents along with an array of recovery rehabilitation programs.

Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the libraries are joining forces with MiraVista to bring information about mental health to library staffs and their patrons. Librarians are setting up displays featuring many areas of mental health along with ways to understand current issues through books, magazines and databases.

“By promoting mental health education, libraries can help dispel myths, misconceptions and negative attitudes towards mental illness, and create a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking information and help without fear of judgment,” MiraVista Chief of Creative Strategy and Development Kimberley Lee said.

Hardly in a decline, Lee says the need for mental health services continues to rise.

“Individuals are continuing to be challenged by the effect of COVID in terms of isolation and people’s mental health. There is across the state, a continuing need for inpatient psychiatric care such as that provided by MiraVista Behavioral Health Center,” she said.

The Springfield City Library has put up displays in nine of its locations. Jean Canosa Albano is the library’s assistant director for public services, and she hopes there is strong demand for what the library is offering.

“We hope that patrons will clean out the displays. We will be ready to restock them. Libraries provide a free way to start understanding mental health issues. We’re non-judgmental places to get referrals to other organizations that can provide help to those who seek it,” she said.

The displays will be up for the entire month of May. With so many people suffering from mental health issues, Lee said she thinks this partnership may encourage them to seek help.

“This opportunity with the libraries is yet another opportunity for us to cascade that message out to the broader community that it is okay to not feel okay. When you’re not feeling well, emotionally, to understand that you’re not feeling well and to seek treatment. It is not a sign of weakness,” she said.
For more information about mental health care and services, visit miravistabhc.care