The West Garfield Park neighborhood in Chicago has been struggling with disinvestment and high crime rates for years. In response, the Henry E. Legler Library has started offering mental health services to the community, providing a safe space for locals to seek help and feel heard. Jordan Henderson, a licensed counselor with the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds counseling sessions once a week in the library’s study room.
Henderson believes that providing mental health services in a library setting presents a unique opportunity to reach people in their own community. He is available for appointments every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcoming both walk-ins and referrals. Since starting his sessions at Legler Library about a month ago, Henderson has already seen around two dozen people seeking help with various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
The West Garfield Park community has experienced a lot of trauma over the years, making it crucial for them to have access to resources that can help them heal and process their emotions. Henderson acknowledges this need and is committed to providing support to those who need it most. With more people likely to seek help if services were more widely available, Henderson hopes that his work at Legler Library will inspire others in the community to do the same and expand mental health resources throughout the area.
Accessible mental health services are considered crucial in addressing the cycle of violence in the community by experts like Kelly Carroll from the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago. The Department of Public Health is working on expanding mental health services to other public spaces as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s mental health expansion strategy, which aims to provide accessible and vital resources to communities in need.
Overall, Legler Library’s new initiative provides much-needed support for West Garfield Park residents who have been struggling with disinvestment and high crime rates for years. By offering mental health services within their own community, residents can feel heard and supported while working towards healing from past traumas.
