A library in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood has begun offering mental health services, aiming to serve a community that has suffered from disinvestment and high crime rates. The Henry E. Legler Library, which originally opened in 1920, now opens its doors as a place where area residents can get help and feel heard.
Mental Health Services at the Library
Jordan Henderson, a licensed counselor with the Chicago Department of Public Health, meets with West Garfield Park residents once a week in the library’s study room. “People don’t expect to see mental health services in a library, so it’s a great opportunity for us to be here in the community,” Henderson said.
Counseling Availability
Henderson offers counseling services at the library every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., accepting visits and referrals from others. “We know this community has a lot of trauma and we’re able to help address it,” Henderson said.
Impact on the Community
Henderson has been working at Legler Library for about a month and is one of three doctors currently working at Chicago public libraries. “By being here, you remove a lot of barriers to going and getting service,” he said.
Henderson estimates he’s seen about two dozen people since he started. “I think that number would have been higher if I had stayed here longer… We saw a really big, clear need,” Henderson said.
Community Perspectives
Some experts consider access to services at the local library to be vital to addressing the cycle of violence. “Being able to go to a local library, meet someone in your community… without having to make an appointment… just show up and talk to someone and connect with services,” said Kelly Carroll of the Chicago Nonviolence Institute. “I think that will meet a lot of needs in the communities we serve.”
Future Expansion
The Department of Public Health is currently exploring other potential co-locations as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s mental health expansion strategy.
For more information on the importance of accessible mental health services, visit Chicago Department of Public Health.
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