Supporting the mental health and well-being of staff and students is a priority of libraries and institutions around the world, however the coronavirus pandemic has meant an even greater focus on providing support and solutions.

For Mental Health Awareness week in May, we asked our Specialist Librarian panel what initiatives their institution and library has put in place to support the mental health and well-being of their students.

Communication

Universities have been remote learning since March, communicating effectively with each member of that community has never been more important. So how have libraries stayed connected with their researchers, staff and students?

One institution in Russia shared that “a group chat was created for library staff at WhatsApp. Once a week, the administrator places a checklist with tips on self-development and personal growth, as well as links to interesting online events.”

“Library staff daily tells you what interesting things they saw, read or found out and what problems they encountered,” said a Russian institution.

Specifically during mental health week, a UK university implemented additional support including “a series of daily updates and records from University staff with the title “What kindness means to me” as kindness was the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

An institution in North America has been providing several different virtual options for students to receive support, “Mental health services are available by video or phone, including for students who are self-isolating. Let’s Talk offers drop-in counselling support for students via video during certain hours.”

Activities

Alongside effective communication, institutions have also been offering activities that promote well-being, such as virtual coffee breaks and quizzes to replace the usual on campus events including visits from therapy dogs.

A college in North America noted, “We do passive programming during finals week each semester that is targeted at giving students some space to de-stress, which we now do virtually – colouring is popular, and we do a board game night.”

A librarian in the UK commented: “whilst we are working remotely there have been regular virtual drop in sessions, tea breaks, and online conversations with the specific aim of supporting everyone to take care of their mental health.”

Training

Keeping up to date with the appropriate mental health techniques is vital for supporting students at university, especially when they’re all remote learning in these uncertain circumstances.

One librarian at a UK institution said, “Staff are trained in dealing with stressed customers and students.” Another institution within the UK has also increased their training by offering self-help and wellbeing books both in the library and online.

Several members of staff at a University in Australia have been mental health trained by the University. Whilst the librarian in a Russian university shared that “each employee received several on-line invitations to take part in the educational webinar, to visit virtually another country, theatres, some military museums and libraries (for the all-Russia campaign “The Night in a Library”). The teachers got an opportunity to receive an additional qualification in modern competence for online working through our telecommunicational system, provided with detailed instructions.”

Advice for Students who are suffering with their mental health

We also asked each librarian to share one piece of advice that they’d give to a struggling student with their mental health whilst at home.

“Get in touch. Even though the University campus may be closed, our services are still open and we are here to help and listen.” A librarian from a UK institution commented.

Each response echoed the other: be kind to yourself, exercise regularly, discuss how you’re feeling with someone you trust, or a mental health professional. Other institutions suggested taking this time for granted and developing your skills, but finding the balance between working productively and over-working which will only increase stress.

If you’re struggling with your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, please find more wellness resources available here or  here at the World Federation for Mental Health.

Interested in joining our specialist librarian panel? Apply here today.