It’s not always easy to talk about mental health. For many years, stigma and misunderstanding surrounded mental health conditions, making it difficult for individuals to speak openly, seek help or access treatment. Thankfully, that is beginning to change.
May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the importance of mental well-being. This month is dedicated to opening up conversations, reducing stigma and encouraging everyone to take care of their mental health just as they would their physical health. Talking openly about mental health helps us recognize how deeply it impacts our everyday lives—and it paves the way for more compassionate support, accessible resources and better treatment options.
The need for awareness is significant. According to a 2023 study conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 58.7 million people in the U.S. live with a mental health condition. That’s nearly 1 in 4 adults. Mental health conditions include a wide range of experiences, such as depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders and substance use disorders. The first step toward treatment and recovery is understanding, and that starts with awareness.
At Anne Arundel County Public Library, we understand how important it is to prioritize mental health. That’s why we offer a variety of resources and events designed to support your well-being.
Visit a library physically or virtually for a number of programs focused on mental health.
- Get up and get active with physical activities to improve your mood, such as Beginner Line Dancing Fun, Cardio Drumming for Fun and Fitness or Introduction to Tai Chi for Stress Reduction.
- Reach a relaxed state of mind with yoga by attending Chair Yoga, Yoga for You or bring your little ones to Kids Yoga and Mindful Crafting.
- Participate in some mindful activities such as Journaling for your Mental Health, Mental Health and Tarot, Mindful Moments and Color Me Calm.
- Explore the impact of gun violence on our communities with our Mental Health Check-in and Gun Violence Intervention program.
Learn more about mental health perspectives, challenges and remedies by visiting our Mental Health & Wellbeing page where you can find local resources and crisis hotlines.
- Stream movies featuring themes of mental health for free using your library card to access Kanopy.
- Research topics of mental health using our Health and Wellness database through Gale.
- Refine your search by using our Psychology database through Gale.
- Check out a Healing Library Kit. This kit is a set of materials that includes 8 books, guides, activities and local resources. These books and activities focus on how to help young children begin the process of healing when someone they love has died.
Choose your next read from our lists of books that are associated with mental health.
- Check out our fiction and nonfiction booklists for adults, teens and kids.
- Download books about mental health in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.
- Looking for more books about mental health? Use NoveList’s “Advanced Search” feature to generate a list of books by subject.
Published May 5, 2025