Library staff embrace mental health training
Skagit Valley HeraldSep 15, 2018
Library Director
"When working with the public, you run into your fair share of mental health issues," he said. "I think people's first instinct is to be fearful."
In taking the course, Huffman said he and his staff got a better idea of how to address situations where people are causing a disturbance, such as a person having a loud conversation with someone who isn't there.
"Instead of confronting them with our reality ... mental health first aid teaches us to ask them, 'Can you have that conversation outside?'" he said.
Huffman and his staff see this kind of mental health issue more frequently than situations where someone is threatening to others or themselves.
The
Like traditional first aid, a bystander without medical training can only do so much, so they are instructed to assess the situation and connect the individual with help, she said.
The eight-hour course touches on common mental health diagnoses, what symptoms of a mental health crisis to look for, how to listen without judging and how to recommend mental health services.
"This meets people in the community where they're at," Beal said.
She said participants learn how to engage and get someone talking about themselves before they start asking questions.
Beal applauded the library's interest in the program because of the library's role in the community as a welcoming, public place.
Librarians interact with a lot of people and get to know frequent patrons, she said.
Huffman said the
It's important for staff to be able to offer assistance and compassion, rather than fear and suspicion, he said.
Beal said the increased interest from people such as the
"They see things happening in their community and they don't know how to help," she said.
While the next course in
More information is available at compasshealth.org/training.
-- Reporter
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