Category: Get Connected

The Summer 2025 Reading Program is in full swing at Meinders Library!  The library is buzzing with events and activities for people of all ages!  Less than two months of summer break and then it is back to school for the kiddos.  Whether you are enjoying the pool, going on family vacations, or having a blast with friends, summer is a busy time of year for everyone!

I want to continue writing and sharing about mental health and suicide more than just twice a year.  I’ve come up with a plan, so if it goes well, and it is well-received by our patrons and followers, I will do something once a month.  All of the information I share will be about mental health and suicide prevention and awareness and can be used for your wellbeing.  It will be called “Resource Spotlight” and will include local, state, and national resources.  Some you may be familiar with and others you may not.  My goal is to bring more resources to light and to get the right information into the right hands.  That is what a librarian does, after all.  Our library’s motto is “Get Connected” and that is the purpose of this project.  To connect with the community, bring awareness, and start a conversation about important topics.

Southwest Health and Human Services has launched a new mental health website.  Area residents now have access to CredibleMind, a free website with information on health-related topics, self-assessments, and links to community mental health resources in the six-county SWHHS service area. SWHHS covers Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, Pipestone, Murray and Rock Counties.  The CredibleMind website (swmn.crediblemind.com) offers mental health and wellbeing resources that are free, confidential and available 24/7.

CredibleMind offers over 100 topics for your mental wellbeing.  From anxiety and depression, to parenting and time management, you can search to suit your needs.  Create a profile to be able to save your customizations and assessment results!  Get started on your wellbeing journey today with resources you can trust!

I hope you take advantage of the resources that SWHHS and CredibleMind have to offer. The first time I used the website, I browsed for over 2 hours and really lost track of time! It has so many wonderful topics and resources right at your fingertips!

Until next time my friends, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~

While mental health is important to address year round, this month provided a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters!

---

This year’s theme was “Turn Awareness Into Action.” The theme celebrates the progress we’ve made in recognizing the importance of mental health, and challenges us to turn understanding into meaningful steps toward change. Whether it’s through advocacy, education, community engagement, or direct action in our own lives, “Turn Awareness Into Action” reflects our commitment to creating a world where mental health is prioritized for all.

I hope the information I provided was helpful and you took some time to explore the resources and you made time to explore your own mental health. Everyone’s journey is different, but you are never alone! Masking your symptoms can be easy and asking for help is not. Get connected with your own mental wellbeing. Prioritize yourself and give yourself permission to embrace it. Here’s a recap of the key messages that were discussed each week.

Week 1: Explore Your Mental Health. Encourage journaling, identifying emotions, and understanding triggers. Explore self-awareness as the foundation of mental health. Week 2: Nurture Your Wellbeing. Share strategies like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and boundary setting. Highlight self-care routines that nurture wellbeing. Week 3: Find Mental Health Support in Tough Times. Share personal coping tools and encourage self-compassion. Focus on resilience and finding strength during difficult times. Week 4: Embrace Your Mental Health Journey. Inspire personal growth and goal setting for mental wellness. Highlight the importance of celebrating progress and embracing change.

Awareness and action takes initiative. Spark conversations regarding mental health. Help spread what you do throughout moments in your day to take care of yourself. Take a walk. Write in a journal. Read a book. Listen to music. Connect with a friend. Let’s collectively promote these self-connection moments by sharing with family and friends. Together, we can make a difference!

I am one of four wonderful librarians here at Meinders Community Library and we have books and resources on the topic that can help you or your loved ones. Patron confidentiality is a guiding principle in library work, so please don’t be afraid to ask. I am also a survivor and an advocate, so I am always here to help or lend an ear to listen. Here are some links to various websites that I have used during my mental health and suicide journey, a link to the library’s online catalog to browse our resources, and to a local agency that provides mental wellbeing resources. I will also link to the posts I previously published to this website. Have an idea for a mental health or suicide prevention awareness event or how to spread awareness and advocacy throughout the community? I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email at pipestonelibrary@yahoo.com.

NAMI – Meinders Library Catalog – CredibleMind – Mental Health America – SAMHSA – Mental Health Coalition – 988 Lifeline – Mental Health Minnesota – Wellness in the Woods – Meinders Mental Health Posts

Until next time, stay happy, healthy, and safe! ~Sally~