Librarians at the World’s Ending Why and How Access Services Staff Should Prepare for Patron Mental Health Crises

Abstract

Since 2020, there has been an emerging realization that mental health is important, but psychological distress and mental health crises were serious problems before the pandemic. We can expect them to continue to be issues that need to be addressed for a long while yet, including on our campuses. Are they, however, issues within the purview of academic libraries? This session presented information on recognizing the need to address psychological distress on campus and why academic librarians should be concerned, as well as providing some ways libraries and library staff can address psychological distress and mental health crises among students and other patrons, proactively and reactively.