ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) – “You’re not alone.” is a three-year project by the Rock Island Public Library that focuses on mental health resources in the community.
The Rock Island City Council approved American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for this project.
A community survey was conducted in Rock Island in 2022 to determine what the top five priorities are for the use of ARPA funds, and mental health resources made the list.
“That means the funds we receive from the City Council will go toward strengthening our programs to talk about mental health issues and bring together people who are skilled at helping people,” said Rock Island Public Library Director Angela Campbell. Told.
The promotional phase began this week, offering mental health resource cards containing key phone numbers and QR codes with more community resources. Visitors can pick up “Stop the Stigma” wristbands, pins and stickers.
“It’s really important that we have the resources to meet everyone’s needs,” Campbell said. “We never know if it’s for the person asking the question, for ourselves, for a loved one, for a friend we’re trying to help. But we have it. It can be the first step between life and death, so we take it very seriously.”
Campbell said the library plans to launch a comfort cart in the fall with items, magazines and other resources to combat loneliness.
“People sometimes only think of us as a book clearinghouse, but we’re much more than that,” Campbell said. “Building relationships and building community is something we always focus on. People have never used us for that reason or thought of us for that reason. We want to shine a light on that because we want people to come here even if they don’t.”
Campbell said additional programming will focus on teens and adults because of recent research on loneliness.
In later stages of the project, ARPA funding will support additional programs and events that address mental health issues and create safe spaces.
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