In Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood, the Henry E. Legler Library has started offering mental health services to the community. This area has faced disinvestment and high crime rates, making it essential to provide support and resources to residents. Originally opened in 1920, the library now serves as a safe space where locals can seek help and feel heard.
Jordan Henderson, a licensed counselor with the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds counseling sessions once a week in the library’s study room. Providing mental health services in a library setting is not common but presents a unique opportunity to reach people in their own community. Henderson is available for appointments every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcoming both walk-ins and referrals.
The West Garfield Park community has experienced a lot of trauma, and Henderson acknowledges the importance of providing a space to help individuals heal and process their emotions. Since starting his sessions at Legler Library about a month ago, Henderson has already seen around two dozen people. He believes there is a significant need for mental health services in the area, with more people likely to seek help if services were more widely available.
Access to services at the local library is considered crucial in addressing the cycle of violence in the community. Experts like Kelly Carroll from the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago highlight the importance of being able to easily connect with mental health resources without the barriers of traditional appointments or locations. The Department of Public Health is working on expanding mental health services to other public spaces as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s mental health expansion strategy. This initiative aims to provide accessible and vital resources to communities in need.
In conclusion, providing mental health services in libraries is an innovative approach that can benefit communities facing challenges such as disinvestment and high crime rates by providing them with easy access to essential resources for healing and growth within their own neighborhoods.