Lehigh Valley librarians receive mental health sensitivity training

Josh Berk has worked at libraries throughout the Lehigh Valley for 15 years.

He started his career in Allentown, went on to be the director of the Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity and now heads the Bethlehem Area Public Library.

Berk worked with homeless patrons in all three locations. But he never received training on how to deal with those with mental illness until recently.

Inspired by a conference he attended that looked at the connection between libraries and mental health services, Berk in April took part in a mental health sensitivity training session at the Recovery Partnership in Bethlehem.

"I found that training really useful — at the library, we see all types of people," he said. "Sometimes, we can be the front line to direct people to services they need."

Berk was so inspired by the mental health sensitivity training that he set up a session especially for librarians. More than 50 librarians attended the session last week, including staff from libraries in the Lehigh Valley, Warren County and the Poconos.

"When I opened it to the libraries, so many of them agreed it's something that's needed," Berk said. "None of us were trained in that, but when you work in one of the true really public places where people can come for free, you get a true cross-section of the population."

NHS Human Services' Bushkill Township office provides regular mental health sensitivity training at Recovery Partnership but last week was the first time the group ever worked with librarians, said Andrew Grossman, a program director. Most of the people who receive the group's training work directly in the mental health field, he said.

Grossman said he thought it was a good idea for librarians to receive the training, as many local mental health group homes send their residents to libraries on a regular basis for socialization.

"I think it's great they'll get a better understanding of the folks who are coming into their facility," he said. "I think a lot of times they don't fully understand the people in the library."

The training Grossman provided the librarians is the same NHS provides for mental health workers. Grossman talked about the stigma of mental health and explained many different diagnoses.

After receiving his training in April, Berk also connected with the Northampton County Department of Human Services. While the Bethlehem library also has good working relationships with Bethlehem police and the Bethlehem Health Bureau, Berk said, he's found the county's mental health officials to be helpful with some patrons.

"Sometimes the library may be the first to notice that someone has a problem and can connect them with services," Berk said. "It feels much better than kicking someone out for talking to themselves."

Gary Ruschman, Northampton County's human services director of intake and referral/emergency services, said his department has received a few referrals from the Easton Area Public Library but nothing on a regular basis. Like Grossman, he also sees value in local librarians getting trained in mental health sensitivity.

"Not everybody with a mental health issue you need to call crisis on," he said. "If someone comes in and they act a little differently than anyone else, you can be aware and be sensitive to what they're going through."

The Bethlehem Health Bureau last year started offering monthly health services at the library especially to assist the homeless. While the sessions started off slowly, interest recently increased and there are plans to resume them in the fall after a summer hiatus, Berk said.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.