Mission
- To readily connect our patrons and staff to information (both physical and digital) to educate and inform their optimal mental health.
- To reduce stigma often associated with mental health issues so that our patrons and staff feel empowered to seek whatever help they need.
- To be a bridge of information to our community partners, who can further assist with their expertise.
Vision
- A community that feels more at ease discussing mental health as a part of their overall health, and has greatly freed itself of the stigma that surrounds mental health topics so that they feel ready to reach out for help and know that they are not alone.
Values
- Diversity: We honor that everyone has their own story, and that one person’s mental health needs will be different from those of another. We strive to work across age groups, ethnicities, disability and socioeconomic status by working with affinity teams and service levels to best meet the needs of each group.
- Inclusion: We include all in our mission to optimize mental health in our community.
- Education: We strive to continue educating ourselves with the goal to connect patrons to mental health education and support.
- Community: We are welcoming, open, and ready to connect our patrons with the information they need to maintain good mental health.
Mission
- To readily connect our patrons and staff to information (both physical and digital) to educate and inform their optimal mental health.
- To reduce stigma often associated with mental health issues so that our patrons and staff feel empowered to seek whatever help they need.
- To be a bridge of information to our community partners, who can further assist with their expertise.
Vision
- A community that feels more at ease discussing mental health as a part of their overall health, and has greatly freed itself of the stigma that surrounds mental health topics so that they feel ready to reach out for help and know that they are not alone.
Values
- Diversity: We honor that everyone has their own story, and that one person’s mental health needs will be different from those of another. We strive to work across age groups, ethnicities, disability and socioeconomic status by working with affinity teams and service levels to best meet the needs of each group.
- Inclusion: We include all in our mission to optimize mental health in our community.
- Education: We strive to continue educating ourselves with the goal to connect patrons to mental health education and support.
- Community: We are welcoming, open, and ready to connect our patrons with the information they need to maintain good mental health.
Synapse Picks
Synapse Team supports the community in mental wellness
Oct 26, 2022
PCPL has launched its newest affinity team. Synapse aims to create a community that feels at ease discussing mental health without stigma.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind: Exploring Somatic Therapy
Learn more about this therapeutic approach and the mind-body connection via the books on this list.
Imposter Syndrome, Begone!
Imposter Syndrome can be cruel. These books could help empower you and aid in your efforts to silence self-doubt.
Synapse Picks: Large Print Edition
From fiction to memoirs to self-help: Synapse picks in a larger format for ease of reading.
Girl, so confusing
These novels feature young women with lived experience with mental health and wellness challenges; no matter who you are, you are not alone.
Ten factors to consider
Searching for a gender-competent therapist for your child? Check out this guide!
Mental health resources for marginalized communities
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers a list of national resources, including those for loss survivors.
The JED Foundation
Find a therapist, join a support group, and seek out ways to feel seen and heard.
BIPOC Mental Health
Culture, ethnicity, and race effect how individuals experience the world and in the types of mental health support they may need.
¡Camina para evitar el suicidio!
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention website is now available in Spanish.
How and why AAPI parents can check-in with kids
Depression, anxiety and more affect children of all backgrounds, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI).
Back to school with mental health in mind
Mental Health America is here to help with practical guidance, free tools, and resources for every step of the journey.
Bebe Moore Campbell Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
This list contains 28 culturally relevant titles on mental health and wellness- from memoirs to self-care guides to calls to action.
For bereaved parents
This list recognizes National Bereaved Parents Awareness Month in July, a time to acknowledge grief and support a parent's journey.
Mental Health & Wellness: New Books for Tweens
Always seek care from a mental health professional to find out how these topics may or may not apply to your unique situation.
Mental Wellness for Minis
It's never too early to begin fostering mental wellness, boosting self-esteem and sense of self, and encouraging social-emotional learning!
The Library's Synapse Team