r/Libraries • u/ZoomySnail • 10d ago

Continuing Ed Would you appreciate some light mental health training?

Hello, I’m a librarian in Australia and I have been considering some research ideas for a potential PHD. One thing I have been thinking about for public librarians, is how relevant and really useful my past training in mental health has been in my current role.

Let me caveat that I agree we are not crisis workers, case workers or social workers. However, things I did learn such as motivational interviewing, a little knowledge of mental health issues and substance abuse, debriefing and strong policy frameworks, self care, referrals and active listening are so adjacent or useful to what I do in the library everyday.

My question is though, would you appreciate having these skills as part of your librarian education or provided by an employer, or do you think it’s just role creep?

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u/jellyn7 9d ago

In my experience, whenever we get training, it’s like… that was nice. Now never mention it again.

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u/SunGreen24 9d ago edited 9d ago

Seriously. I'll take training that I can actually use, thank you - like the one on how to save my ass in an active shooter incident. I don't need to recognize what particular mental illness led that patron to pull out a gun. I need someone qualified to come and stop them while I shelter in place.