World Mental Health Day was observed on October 10. The day raises awareness of mental being and that no one should feel ashamed to ask for help. By listening with compassion, challenging stigma, and encouraging open conversations, we can help create a more understanding and supportive community.

Mental health challenges can affect people of every age and background. I know all too well as I have friends, colleagues, and family members who are experiencing some form of mental health challenges, be it anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness, trauma, or everyday stress. These challenges can affect relationships, school, work, and daily life. Although professional counseling and treatment are important sources of support, access to care can sometimes be difficult because of cost, limited availability, or uncertainty about where to begin. Community resources can help bridge these gaps by providing reliable information, opportunities for learning, and connections to additional services.

Please don’t let pride get in your way of taking the first step to get help. I understand the struggles to take the first step and to do the hard work. It takes a village; whether it’s your superior allowing you time off to care for yourself or a loved one or a friend who’s taking you out for lunch and a movie. It will take a village. Your library is in your village as well. Public libraries play an important role in supporting mental health awareness and education. Through books, audiobooks, e-books, online resources, and educational programs, libraries provide welcoming spaces where people can explore mental health topics privately and at their own pace. For example, the Orange Public Library & History Center in Orange, California, offers Mental Health Kits that include selected books and resource lists on subjects such as depression, grief, postpartum depression, mindfulness, and substance use. These collections demonstrate how libraries can connect people with helpful information and encourage greater understanding of mental health within the community.

Your Placentia Library District has the following resources available for you and loved ones.

Books for Children

• Mama moon: a story about love and mental health by Noah Grigni
• S'More is enough by Brenda Miles
• Breathe with me: using breath to feel strong, calm, and happy by Mariam Gates
• The Amazing Generation: your guide to fun and freedom in a screen-filled world by Jonathan Haidt

Books for Teens

• Here I am, I am me: an illustrated guide to mental health by Cara Bean
• Dealing With Stress: insights and tips for teenagers by Christie Cognevich
• Where to Start: a survival guide to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges by Gemma Correll
• Anxiety Relief for Teens by Regine Galanti

Books for Adults

• What's Going Right: a powerful new method for optimizing your mental health by Paul Conti
• Healing: our path from mental illness to mental health by Thomas R. Insel
• Prescription For Happiness: how to eat, move, and supplement for peak mental health by Robin Berzin
• You are not alone: for parents and caregivers by Christine Crawford
• Change Your Brain Every Day: simple daily practices to strengthen your mind, memory, moods, focus, energy, habits, and relationships by Damiel Amen
• You Will Get Through This: a mental health first-aid kit: help for depression, anxiety, grief and more by Julie Radico

While these resources can help guide you on your journey toward healing, please remember that they are not the only sources of support available to nurture your mental well-being. Organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health America, which offers educational materials and mental health screening resources, and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential support, are also here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone; these organizations are part of your village, too, and there is strength in allowing others to walk alongside you.

And just as adults need support, we must remember that mental health knows no age boundaries. We are seeing an increasing number of children and teenagers experiencing emotional and mental health challenges, making it more important than ever to meet them with empathy, patience, and understanding. As parents, caregivers, and members of our communities, we must create safe spaces where our children feel comfortable expressing their emotions without fear of judgment. Their struggles are real, and their feelings deserve to be acknowledged and validated, regardless of their age or circumstances. Sometimes, all they need is someone who will listen with an open heart, offer reassurance, and remind them that they are not alone. There will be many late nights.

To all the parents out there, please remember to give yourselves grace, too. There may be days when supporting your children feels overwhelming, and that is okay. Parenting through difficult moments can be emotionally exhausting, but when your child comes to you seeking your time, attention, and listening ear, remember that they are reaching out because they trust you. You don't always have to have the perfect words or all the answers (you won’t); sometimes, simply being present, listening without judgment, and offering a warm embrace can mean more than you realize. Never underestimate the healing power of a hug and the comfort of knowing someone is there for you. Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, valued, and supported, and every parent deserves support along the way, too.

Everyone can take a meaningful step toward building a healthier and more compassionate community. Visit your local library, explore a book about mental health, share a trusted resource with a friend, or take time to listen without judgment to someone who needs support. Libraries can serve as important community partners by promoting mental health literacy, highlighting inclusive reading materials, and connecting people with reliable information. Most importantly, we can help create a culture in which mental health is discussed openly, lived experiences are respected, and asking for help is encouraged.

Every conversation, every act of kindness, and every connection to a helpful resource can make a difference.  One day at a time. You are not alone. Let’s do this together.

Sending hugs.

Jeanette Contreras, Library Director