{"id":33156,"date":"2025-06-11T11:59:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T16:59:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/?p=33156"},"modified":"2025-06-11T11:59:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T16:59:54","slug":"texas-library-transforming-mental-health-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/2025\/06\/11\/texas-library-transforming-mental-health-support\/","title":{"rendered":"How One Small-Town Texas Library is Transforming Mental Health Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For Mental Health Awareness Month, LDO is spotlighting libraries that are making a difference for their patrons and communities. The Smithville Public Library<\/a> is doing just that, proving once again that libraries are far more than just buildings full of books\u2014they\u2019re lifelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Smithville Public Library in Smithville, Texas<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of Smithville Public Library\u2019s mental health outreach is an innovative, people-first approach that\u2019s meeting residents where they are, both physically and emotionally. Thanks to a partnership with the St. David\u2019s Foundation and their Libraries for Health grant, the library began building bridges to support marginalized and rural residents through book clubs that doubled as safe spaces for mental health discussion. Each group\u2014whether focused on BIPOC members, Spanish-language readers, or veterans\u2014was co-facilitated by a social worker or psychologist. Every session opened with a \u201cmental health minute,\u201d and over time, what started as separate circles grew into a broader, united community of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was so well received,\u201d says Library Director Judy Bergeron. \u201cSt. David\u2019s noticed the impact and asked: what if we made it easier for patrons to get help by placing a peer support specialist directly in the library?\u201d The answer, of course, was yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s when Britany Flores joined the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flores, a bilingual peer support specialist shared with nearby Elgin Public Library, quickly became a trusted presence in the library. \u201cEvery day is a learning experience,\u201d she says. \u201cBut everything I\u2019ve been through helps me connect with people who need someone to walk with them through hard times.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From walking alongside patrons who are navigating life after incarceration to helping someone apply for a rental unit online, Flores\u2019 support goes beyond conversation\u2014it\u2019s about tangible steps and emotional grounding. \u201cThere was one woman, older and lonely, who needed to visit the Social Security office. Driving in Austin wasn\u2019t something she could handle alone, so I took her. Just that little bit of support made all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing insecurity is a major concern in the area, Bergeron notes. \u201cBrittany has more flexibility because she\u2019s grant-funded. She can help people apply directly, and she takes the time to listen\u2014really listen\u2014to what\u2019s going on in their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a>
Brittany Flores in the Smithville Public Library on March 11, 2024. Credit: Maria Crane for The Texas Tribune<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Extending Mental Health Support to the Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the library walls, the work continues. Smithville Public Library also partnered with the Smithville Community Gardens to transform an old food pantry into a multipurpose community center called the Gardens House. With a Wi-Fi hub, accessible computers, and workshops funded by a TSLAC CARES grant, the space became a sanctuary during the pandemic\u2014and continues to be one today. Parents gather for \u201cGarden Kids\u201d while their toddlers play nearby, sharing stories and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This in turn led to \u201cMomma Crafternoon\u201d where the parents could experience their own support network a couple times each month. Kids and adults alike learn from each other and the giving grows\u2014one memorable moment saw a 13-year-old teaching a senior how to embroider. \u201cThis senior went on to learn how to sew, so he could make carrying bags for walkers for the residents of our local nursing home,\u201d Bergeron says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also Thomas, a neighbor who struggled with isolation and illness during COVID. Drawn by the activity at the Gardens House, he began participating, teaching kids how to sharpen blades and bake sourdough bread. \u201cIt\u2019s about connection,\u201d Bergeron says. \u201cEvery moment matters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Library<\/a>
Librarian Judith Bergeron answers the phone in her office at the Smithville Public Library in Smithville, Texas, on March 11, 2024. Credit: Maria Crane for The Texas Tribune<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the library\u2019s current mental health initiative wraps up at the end of the year, the focus is shifting toward sustainability. The building at the community garden needs upkeep. The city council has yet to commit to funding a permanent peer support role. And yet, the need is clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA man came in recently in a total panic,\u201d Flores recalls. \u201cHe thought he was about to lose his disability benefits because he didn\u2019t know how to use a computer. I sat with him. We took a deep breath together. I couldn\u2019t click the buttons for him, but I could help him navigate. Afterward, he said, \u2018You saved my life.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What would Bergeron say to other libraries considering a similar approach?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s incredibly valuable. This is work libraries are already doing\u2014we just need to make sure our city leaders understand that. Anecdotal data shows it\u2019s working. Our library staff feel it. Our community feels it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flores agrees. \u201cThis place feels like family. I\u2019ve never felt so supported. It\u2019s just a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s the power of libraries\u2013they are truly so much more than just books. They are vital hubs for community support. Watch this video<\/a> to see more of Smithville Public Library\u2019s mental health journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Mental Health Awareness Month, LDO is spotlighting libraries that are making a difference for their patrons and communities. The Smithville Public Library is doing just that, proving once again that libraries are far more than just buildings full of books\u2014they\u2019re lifelines. At the heart of Smithville Public Library\u2019s mental health outreach is an innovative,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":66,"featured_media":32737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[488,776,59],"tags":[1105,1106,713,1103,1102,1104,998,922],"class_list":["post-33156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-engagement","category-grants-funding","category-public-libraries","tag-community-support","tag-libraries-for-health","tag-mental-health","tag-mental-health-awareness","tag-smithville-public-library","tag-st-davids-foundation","tag-texas-public-libraries","tag-tslac"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/66"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33156"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33185,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33156\/revisions\/33185"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tsl.texas.gov\/ld\/librarydevelopments\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}