Easy as ABC

Employing Mental Health

Sensitivity in Library Settings
Laura Cameron, MSIS
Julia Conroy
Introduction
• Defining mental health
• Misconceptions

• Why did you chose to attend this

session?

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Mental Health in Libraries
Mental health awareness training is a frequent topic of
research and discussion within public libraries. Academic
library perspectives are lacking, however.

“The age at which most young people

are in higher education is also the age
of peak onset for mental health
problems”
Reavley & Jorm (2010)
• 20% of adults will experience a mental health issue in
their lifetime (NAMI)
• 50% of chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14,
75% by the age of 24 (NAMI)

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Recognizing a mental
health concern
• Developmentally inappropriate behaviour
• Situationally inappropriate behaviour
• Social responsiveness

Mental Health First Aid

Developed by the National Council for Behavioral Health,
this training covers on-the-scene care for mental health.

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Assess appearance and behavior
• Is harm posed to self or others?
• Do they appear disheveled or
distressed?
• Are their thought patterns logical
and coherent?
• Is their behavior developmentally
appropriate? Situationally
appropriate?
Be reflective Consider solutions and resources
• Verbally clarify the issue at hand • Only make offers that are realistic
• “If I am hearing you correctly, you’re and can be applied universally and
saying…” consistently
• De-escalating aggressive behaviors • If you are making an expectation to a
rule, clearly communicate that you
• Reduce stimuli are making an exception and that
• Use low tones and slow pace this should not be expected to
happen again
• Validate emotions
• Explain intent • Be familiar with resources available
• Give choices to your community
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The ABCs in
Action
Two volunteers needed for a role
playing scenario!

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The ABCs in Action
How can we apply the ABCs to real-life situations?

Assess appearance Be reflective Consider solutions

and behavior and resources

Aubrey Dave
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Wrapping Up
Differences in our responses and reactions are dependent
on our awareness, prior experiences, and personal
perceptions of mental health.

Take-Aways
• Mental illness is highly prevalent in the US – and is also
highly stigmatized
• Libraries are community hubs and attract a diverse
range of people
• Becoming educated about mental health can help
promote a culture that values mental health sensitivity
• Apply the mental health ABCs to provide on-the-scene
care

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References
Reavley, N., & Jorm, A. F. (2010). Prevention and early intervention
to improve mental health in higher education students: a
review. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 4, 2, 132-142.
NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved January 05, 2018, from
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-
Numbers
National Council for Behavioral Health (2018). Mental Health First
Aid. Retrieved Feb 20, 2018, from
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

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Image Credits
Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington by Michael Matti
CC BY-NC 2.0 Flickr user Michael Matti
Harper Library at the University of Chicago
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Flickr user Dennis
UNIVERSITY_OF_THE_FRASER_VALLEY_PHOTOGRAPHY
CC BY 2.0 Flickr user University of the Fraser Valley
cam university library
CC BY-NC 2.0 Flickr user Chrisgel Ryan Cruz
Up into the long room
CC BY-SA 2.0 Flickr user Nic McPhee
Trinity College Library
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Flickr user Livio Barcella
Detail - The Long Room - The Old Library, Trinity College Dublin Ireland
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Flickr user Mark Colliton
Reading Room, Suzzallo Library, University of Washington
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Flickr user Curtis Cronn

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ThankYou
Laura Cameron
479-575-5313
lecamero@uark.edu