May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time to reduce the stigma and raise awareness of those living with mental or behavioral health challenges. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2024), more than 1 in 5 adults live with a mental illness. Harvard Medical School (2023) also found that “one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.” Mental illness can affect anyone, at any age.
What can you do to help support folks facing mental health challenges?
- Know the Signs offers an introduction that can help you identify if someone is in need of help.
- Don't know how to bring-up mental health with a loved one? Take Action for Mental Health provides easy steps to check-in with a loved one.
- If you or someone you know needs immediate help:
- Call the NAMI HelpLine:1-800-950-6264
- Text: NAMI to 62640
- For a Crisis: Call or Text 988
- Share your story so others know they are not alone.
- Our library also offers a free Mental Health First Aid training to the community. Attend and learn how to support folks in crisis. The next set of workshops are every other Saturday throughout May and June at the Downtown Library Branch.
Stigma and Support
Stigma around mental health can make it hard for folks to reach out for support. It is important for anyone facing a mental health challenge to know they are not alone, to find support, and to get the professional help they need. Whether you need to connect with a support group, are concerned about a friend, or want to connect with a professional, there are many local resources that offer spaces to connect around mental health. Although the library does not replace professional support, it also offers a variety of ways to care for mental health through information, books, and programs.
Check out the list of resources below to find local mental health support, stories, and adjacent library programs:
Community Resources
All Ages
- NAMI offers comprehensive mental health resources for all ages
- Project Safety Net’s Community Calendar, opens a new window lists mental health and wellness centered events and resources in the Palo Alto area
- 988 hotline is a great resource whether you need someone to talk to, or are looking for advice to help support a friend
- Kara offers support groups and resources for those who are experiencing grief
- CoPA Mental Health Services, opens a new window
- CoPA Community Health and Wellbeing, opens a new window
Youth
- Project Safety Net has a great list of resources for parents who want to support their children, for youth who need support, and for youth to find support groups
- Children’s Health Council, opens a new window offers support for families navigating their children’s mental health needs
- NAMI has great resources for youth of all ages, and their parents
- California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS), has also compiled a list of great resources for youth!
- Outlet, opens a new window offers provides LGBTQIA+ affirmative and gender expansive counseling services to youth between 5-25 years of age.
Teens
- Allcove offers great events, mental health support, and more for teens, ages 11-25
- The Youth Space offers 2SLGBTQ+ centered resources for youth, ages 13-25
- SafeBAE offer resources and support for youth who have experienced sexual violence
Adults
- Take Action For Mental Health offers resources about mental health advocacy, as well as resources to support loved ones, and to check in with oneself
- The Billy DeFrank Center offers 2SLGBTQ+ centered focus groups, activities, and support
- La Selva Community Clinic, opens a new window offers a full spectrum of mental health services for adults (resources available in English and Spanish)
- The Q Corner, opens a new window is a peer-run program of Queer Silicon Valley connecting members of the LGBTQIA+ community with mental health resources
Library Programs
Kids
- Build community, sing, dance, and find joy at one of our weekly storytimes
Teens & Adults
- Learn to help those struggling around you with one of our Mental Health First Aid, opens a new window trainings, every other Saturday in May and June.
- Get up, moving, and outside with one of our Line Dancing Classes, opens a new window
- Relax and unwind every Tuesday night with our Online Meditation, opens a new window program
- Build your meditation skills every Saturday with our in-person Meditation program, we have a session at the Rinconada, opens a new window and Mitchell Park, opens a new window branches
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