Mental Health Kits available at the South Lake Tahoe Library

Thanks to a generous grant from the Barton Foundation, the South Lake Tahoe Library now has Mental Health Kits available to the public for checkout.

Kits are designed for both individuals and families who may be struggling with a mental illness but don’t know how to get help. Whether dealing with a new diagnosis or wanting new ideas for coping and recovery from a long-standing disorder, these kits can help you along the path to better mental health.

There is a kit devoted to each of eight disorders including - Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder, PTSD and Trauma, Alcohol Use Disorder, and Substance Use Disorder. Each kit comes in a courier bag and contains six or more books dealing with the given disorder, a documentary DVD, a self-diagnostic tool and worksheet to help you talk to a therapist for the first time, a collection of calming techniques for emotional distress, a listing of national networks and resources for the disorder, as well as a guide for local mental health resources in South Lake Tahoe.

Especially during Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to know that you can get help without shame or stigma and for all of us to remember that anyone going through a mental health crisis is someone who is suffering and deserves help. There are many great organizations here in South Lake Tahoe to help you-- Barton Health, NAMI El Dorado County, Tahoe Youth and Family Services, The Family Resource Center, and EL Dorado County Behavioral Health. Recovery, hope, and happiness are possible! If you’re struggling, check out a Mental Health Kit today or put one on hold for you through our website and start seeking help to improve your emotional well-being.