To provide more mental health resources to Dare County residents, the Breaking Through Task Force recently partnered with the Dare County Library to create a curated collection of approximately 40 books focused on mental health and wellness topics. Currently available at the county’s three library branches, these books were carefully selected and purchased with task force funds to ensure residents have easy access to self-help and educational books related to mental health and wellness.
“This was a common-sense way to make mental health resources more accessible to Dare County residents,” commented Kelly Netnin Fleming, Breaking Through Task Force Co-Chair and Health Education and Outreach Supervisor for the Dare County Health and Human Services Department. “We believe these books can promote mental wellness by providing practical tools, encouraging self-reflection, offering guidance and support, promoting personal development, and inspiring hope and motivation.”
During the selection process, the Breaking Through Task Force solicited suggestions and feedback from members and local mental health and addiction counselors to ensure meaningful and appropriate book titles were selected. Once the list of titles was finalized, each library was given a copy of each selected book. The initiative, now open to the public, kicked off in Dare County libraries in May 2024, which also marks Mental Health Awareness Month.
Dare County Librarian Megan Lienerts Beasley said the library is honored to be a part of bringing this Breakthrough Task Force initiative to life. “Of course, we always want to provide the most important and needed information our community needs,” Beasley said. “By adding this curated collection of books on mental health and wellness to our shelves, we are able to provide more in-depth information while also receiving the support of the Breakthrough Task Force for those whose needs go beyond the pages.”
Search the Library Catalog Click here for details Use the terms “breaking through,” “breaking task force,” “dhhs,” and “mental health” to find a collection of titles. Each book has a bookplate on the inside cover indicating its donation, making it easy to find titles on display at each library.
The work of the Breakthrough Task Force is supported in part by a Community Benefits grant from Outer Banks Health. To learn more about the Task Force, About This Site or call 252.475.5036.
