Location: Online via Zoom
Audience: This webinar is for anyone interested in learning more about mental health issues, but will be of particular interest to people working in hospitals, public libraries, or academic libraries with vulnerable populations.
Description: May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. In preparation for this important time, Jean Poland from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Finger Lakes (NAMI-FL) will present information for library staff and others in regard to this important and timely issue. Beginning with an overview of the prevalence of mental health issues among the general population, this webinar will cover is the stigma and discrimination people with such illnesses face. We will discuss how illnesses are defined, medications, and the effect of stress and trauma. We will cover safety issues and provide resources to support individuals affected by mental illness and their communities.
Intended Outcomes:
- Familiarity with mental health issues
- Increased understanding of discrimination faced by people with mental illness
- Recognizing when to call for assistance, especially if you feel the person is a threat to themselves or others
- Toolbox of resources to support individuals and caretakers
Presenter: Jean Poland is a retired librarian and library administrator who has worked positions in Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Cornell. She received the MA in Librarianship from the University of Illinois. Jean is an active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Finger Lakes, serving in leadership positions on the Board of Directors, leading family support groups, co-instructing twelve-week Family to Family educational programs, and co-leading Family and Friends programs for the general public. She is a recipient of the Mental Health Association's Kirkwood Award for advocacy in support of people with mental illness.
