Central Library on August 31 to Host Community Connection Series V: Mental Health Awareness & Resources

 

This Wednesday, August 31, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will host the last installment of this month’s Community Connection Series at downtown's Central Library.  The event will focus on a topic of paramount importance in today’s world – mental health.

Participating organizations slated to participate in Wednesday’s event include NAMI Birmingham, JBS Mental Health Authority, and Capitol Care South.

In an effort to increase mental health awareness in the Birmingham community, they will share information about resources and services available to those who suffer from mental illness. Maintaining mental well-being is crucial to functioning in an age of digital and information overload and to dealing with the stress that ensues. 

The mere contemplation of the horrifying effects of climate change can cause undue anxiety and worry about our future and that of our children, as well as about the increased endangerment of the world’s fauna and flora. 

Yet mental health awareness is at a distinct disadvantage when compared to the attention we pay to our physical health. A lack of mental health awareness makes it challenging for people to even realize that depression or some other mental disorder may play a part in the deterioration of their relationships with others or in their ability contribute to society in a meaningful way.

 Physicians and health insurance companies seldom consider the pivotal and often delicate balance that exists between our mental and physical well-being. To make matters worse, the United States makes it difficult for citizens to obtain mental health care, especially when compared to other developed countries. 

Fortunately, due to an ever-increasing awareness of mental health, those suffering from mental disorders are more and more frequently seeking help. The following organizations, who will be present at Wednesday’s event, are dedicated to promoting mental health awareness in our community…

NAMI Birmingham is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Its purpose is to provide support, education, and advocacy for persons with mental illnesses, their families, and others whose lives are affected by these brain disorders. NAMI Birmingham sponsors educational programs for individuals, their families, health care professionals, and mental health providers. In addition, this organizations establishes support groups so families dealing with issues of mental health need not feel alienated or alone.

 JBS Mental Health Authority is a regional, public, nonprofit corporation serving residents of Jefferson, Blount, and St. Clair Counties. Through its manifold programs, JBS provides individualized mental health services to children, youth, and adults in a manner that encourages resilience and wellness. JBS’s goal is for individuals to live a meaningful, productive life of their own choice through education, treatment, and support. JBS’s patients are never denied access to services due to an inability to pay. JBS uses a discounted/sliding fee schedule to determine charges for each person. 

Capitol Care South's person-centered philosophy puts the individual in the driver's seat of the services to which he or she has access. Its interdisciplinary teams help each person explore their concept of wellness to include physical, social, relational, and other culturally competent and meaningful goals. Capitol Care South works across disciplines and within the provider community to meet each person's specific needs in day treatment and outpatient services. Using evidence-based and best practices, the company’s highly trained, qualified professionals help individuals move their lives in incredible directions. 

Each week, the Community Connection Series brings together a handful of organizations to share information about opportunities, resources, and services related to a specific topic. Resources pertaining to law, the environment, adults aged 55 and up, education and housing are among the themes of future events offered by the Community Connection Series.

The idea for the Community Connection Series sprang out of BPL’s recent Citywide Resource Fair, which offered library patrons and the public a chance to gather information about resources available to them through community-based organizations. With over 400 guests in attendance and 70 organizations and businesses represented, the city’s need for this type of event was more than evident. 

The Birmingham Public Library will host another Citywide Resource Fair at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1.  For details, please refer to the flyer below. Additional information about our fall fair will be posted soon on BPL's website and social media pages. 

The Community Connection Series takes place every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the first floor of the Central Library. It is free and open to the public. 

Please stay tuned for an announcement of September’s schedule. We hope to see you there!

By Margaret Splane|Library Assistant III, Development Department.