Course Information
| Session |
|---|
| Credits | 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs |
|---|---|
| Registration dates | We accept registrations through the first week of classes, unless enrollment is full, and unless the class was canceled before it started due to low enrollment. |
Assisting Patrons with Mental Disorders Across Library Settings
$250.00
Dates: March 2 - March 29September 7 - October 4
Credits: 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs
The National Alliance of Mental Illness estimates that one in five children, teens, and adults suffer from a mental illness. With libraries functioning as a hub of the communities they serve, library professionals must be prepared to serve patrons struggling with mental illness. This course will provide library staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand a range of mental disorder, address potentially challenging behaviors, engage in programming to raise awareness of mental health issues, and connect patrons with community supports.
The course facilitator offers a unique background in being a second career librarian with over 20 years of experience as a master’s level clinical psychologist.
By the end of the course, students will:
- Develop a better understanding of mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, OCD, and personality disorders.
- Improve interactions with patrons with a mental disorder with an emphasis upon awareness of the stigma of mental illness, implementing equitable and inclusive library policies to address the needs of patrons with a mental disorder, and providing appropriate accommodations.
- Learn effective ways of de-escalate potentially challenging behaviors including: maintain appropriate boundaries; conflict resolution skills; crisis intervention; and managing requests for sensitive information about mental health topics.
- Work with community partners to develop potential referral sources, training opportunities, mental health programming, and assistance with crisis intervention.
- Create programming to help raise awareness and provide support for those experiencing a mental disorder, and to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
Course Description
The National Alliance of Mental Illness estimates that one in five children, teens, and adults suffer from a mental illness. With libraries functioning as a hub of the communities they serve, library professionals must be prepared to serve patrons struggling with mental illness. This course will provide library staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand a range of mental disorder, address potentially challenging behaviors, engage in programming to raise awareness of mental health issues, and connect patrons with community supports.
The course facilitator offers a unique background in being a second career librarian with over 20 years of experience as a master’s level clinical psychologist.
By the end of the course, students will:
- Develop a better understanding of mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, OCD, and personality disorders.
- Improve interactions with patrons with a mental disorder with an emphasis upon awareness of the stigma of mental illness, implementing equitable and inclusive library policies to address the needs of patrons with a mental disorder, and providing appropriate accommodations.
- Learn effective ways of de-escalate potentially challenging behaviors including: maintain appropriate boundaries; conflict resolution skills; crisis intervention; and managing requests for sensitive information about mental health topics.
- Work with community partners to develop potential referral sources, training opportunities, mental health programming, and assistance with crisis intervention.
- Create programming to help raise awareness and provide support for those experiencing a mental disorder, and to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
Dawn Behrend
Dawn Behrend is the Associate Dean of Administrative Services at the Thomas G. Carpenter Library at the University of North Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in clinical psychology, a Master of Business Administration, and a master’s in library science. With extensive expertise in organizational management, project management, and staff development, Dawn brings an interdisciplinary approach to library leadership and operations. She previously worked in the mental health profession and continues to provide workshops, courses, and invited talks on mental health, neurodiversity in libraries, and self-care for librarians. Dawn is a past president of the North Carolina Library Association and is active with the Association of College and Research Libraries, where she has served on several committees and sections.Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn or view her online portfolio.
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