The Horizon Health Network is launching a mental health initiative called the Healing Books Project in partnership with the New Brunswick Public Library Service.
Moncton area Director of Mental Health and Addictions Jill LeBlanc-Farquharson for Horizon says this program improves access for those looking for help, and for those trying to support friends, or family members with mental health struggles.
“We consulted [and] spoke with several authors of a variety of books, and we also consulted with clients to say is this the kind of language you would like to hear when you’re trying to cope with some of these issues, and would it provide you with some hope,” says LeBlanc-Farquharson.
There are 1,300 books ranging across 35 mental health topics for children, adolescents, and adults, which includes support resources for supporters of people facing mental health and addictions challenges.
LeBlanc-Farquharson says it’s really all about improving access, so “they don’t have to be purchased, they can be borrowed anywhere from the province, they can be shipped to you at home through their website, or the library, whichever is best for you.”
She says the books will be available to borrow through all 63 public libraries in the province, and all you need is a library card – which is free.
It’s more than just books, with other media available including eBooks and audiobooks as well as resources for those with print disabilities.
LeBlanc-Farquharson says they will be monitoring the program for about six to eight months “to see how often these books are being checked out.”
“We guessed, to be honest, on how many number of books to get of certain topics, and there may be some books that are being checked out more that we need to get three, or four, or five more of,” finished LeBlanc-Farquharson.
The books themselves will be identified with a purple butterfly icon, which is representative of hope, transformation and healing.
LeBlanc-Farquharson says this project was born out of a Horizon Health client with lived experience after she found support and hope reading self-help and therapeutic books while in treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.