The #MentalHealth4All campaign encourages everyone to be proactive in helping themselves and their loved ones get proper mental health care. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports one in four people struggle with mental health annually. In support of May's National Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting some of our materials on the topic, including articles and books focusing on a variety of mental health issues.
- For help with local resources, Burlington County’s own NAMI chapter offers a guide: Mental Health Resource Guide: How to get help from the Mental Health System.
- Everyone deals with anxiety at some point in the lives, even doctors. In Redefending Anxiety, Dr. John Delony shares his personal experience walking through a dark time mentally and what he discovered through decades of therapy, as well as tips on how to get your life back.
- The Office of Population Affairs estimates nearly 50 percent of adolescents will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetimes. Teens, who have access to books on their electronic devices to help them navigate the world in a healthier way mentally, can check out the e-book Heads Up on this topic. It’s a guide for young adults on everything from mental illness to dealing with trauma. It even includes firsthand accounts from their peers.
- If healing depression holistically is your goal, then check out the e-book Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way. Author Sandra Moss shows readers how to unleash their potential of healing mind, body, and spirit. Discussions include everything from positive food choices to yoga.
Mental health care is a critical need for many. Don’t be in the dark about ways to obtain help. The library has plenty of material to begin that journey. If you or anyone you know are struggling with a mental health crisis, help is available by calling (800) 273-8255 or by texting TALK to 741741.
Also, please be aware that there will soon be a nationwide, three-digit dialing code for mental health crisis and suicide prevention that will replace the 1-800 number currently used by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Beginning July 16, when someone calls 988, all phones in the U.S. (mobile and landline) will connect with the mental health crisis/suicide prevention system. This will allow anyone in the U.S. to call 988 and get help designed specifically for someone dealing with a mental health crisis. Assistant Commissioner Valerie Mielke of the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services has created a video presentation that provides an overview of the new 988 system.
