Taking Care Of Your Mind, Body And Brain
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
By Leslie Williams
Pauline Robinson Librarian
While we know our collections and programs often meet your needs for educational and entertainment purposes, we are aware that you may have more personal needs.
Denver Public Library has made a commitment to welcome the opportunity to help our customers in other areas of life. In 2015, DPL hired its first social worker. We quickly became the model for other libraries throughout the country.
“The commitment the Denver Public Library has made to support of all of Denver’s citizens is remarkable,” says Community Resource Manager Elissa Hardy. “By adding four social workers and six peer navigators to its staff, the message is clear that it strives to meet people wherever they are and assists them in accessing whatever resources necessary to survive and thrive.”
Community resource specialists visit libraries each month. We have a monthly calendar at Park Hill and Pauline Robinson listing the day and time they will be at our locations. You may also make an appointment with the specialist if you need a specific day and time.
Another fabulous local resource that focuses on mental health is the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being. After many community conversations and community input, the Dahlia Campus opened at 3401 Eudora St. in 2016. It is the hub for Mental Health Center of Denver’s (MHCD) Children and Family Services. The services offered at Dahlia Center include a preschool, aquaponics, greenhouse, and a beautiful community garden. (Note: the Dahlia Campus is also featured in this year’s Park Hill Garden Walk; check out page 14 for more.)
The Dahlia Campus continually seeks to get community input. They are currently taking applications for its Community Advisory Board. If you are interested in being on the board, visit the Campus for an application.
Andrea Harbeck, Associate Director of Dahlia Operations, shared some interesting facts about the vitality about mental health:
• According to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 adults experience a mental illness, 20 percent of youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition.
• Dahlia offers programs for all areas of health: social, mental, emotional, physical.
• There are two trainings are offered for all of Denver at MHCD throughout the city: on the 1st Friday of each month, Mental Health First Aid for Adults, and 3rd Friday of the month, Mental Health First Aid for Adults Assisting Youth. More information can be found at their website, MHCD.org.
Other resources of interest
• Access Line for Services at MHCD: 303-504-7900 or AccessCenter@MHCD.org
• Colorado Crisis Services 24/7 Support: 1-800-493-TALK (8255) or Text: TALK to 38255
• As always, log into denverlibrary.org to peruse our collections on health and well-being or visit one of your neighborhood libraries.
Pauline Robinson Events
Tech Help Appointments | Mondays and Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m.
Get technology assistance from one of our in-house experts on your own device or a public computer. Learn the basics, such as email, social networking, word processing and eMedia. Call the library at 720-865-0290 to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday. *Note the library is closed on Monday, May 27.
Preschool Storytime | Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for 3-5 year olds and their parents or caregivers.
Computer 101 | Wednesdays, noon-1:30 p.m.
Drop in computer class. Limit 10
Party for the Paper | Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.
The Greater Park Hill News is an award winning, monthly publication that has been in continuous production since 1961. Hobnob with writers, learn about the history of the paper, and enjoy refreshments and activities for all ages.
Equity in Schools- We PHNEEd to Talk | Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.-noon
Park Hill Neighbors for Equity in Education (PHNEE) invites you to a discussion of how to use stakeholder power to improve equity in our neighborhood elementary schools. Add your voice to this series of conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
Babysitting Training | Thursday, May 16, 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course: Designed for 11-16 year olds, to help them gain the skills and confidence to safely supervise children and infants.
The Pauline Robinson Book Club | Saturday, May 25, noon
This month’s selection: What the Eyes Don’t See by Mona Hanna-Attisha. Drop-ins are welcome.
Park Hill Branch Events
All Ages Storytime | Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. Craft activity immediately follows the program.
Baby Storytime | Thursdays & Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. Play and social time immediately follow the program.
Toddler Storytime | Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers.
No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.
Read whatever you want and attend whenever you can. Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.
May the 4th Be With You | Saturday, May 4, 3 p.m.
Celebrate May the 4th and all things Star Wars. Make your own light saber, create your own custom BB unit, rescue Han Solo, roar like Chewbacca, and more. Costumes are encouraged.
Origami for Older Adults | Tuesday, May 7, 4 p.m.
Benefit from the tranquil art of paper folding and take away some beautiful items you’ve created from single sheets of paper.
Mother’s Day Gift Making | Friday, May 10, 4 p.m.
Design a wind chime perfect for catching a breeze. Great gift idea for Mom, you will also be able to make a card and decorate a gift bag.
Clue: Interactive Movie Night with Shirley Delta Blow | Saturday, May 11, 2:30 p.m.
Watch the 1985 American ensemble mystery comedy film based on the board game of the same name in a brand new way. Drag queen Shirley Delta Blow will be your guide as you play along and participate to solve the mystery.
Teen Advisory Board (TAB) | Tuesdays, May 14 & 28, 6 p.m.
Join the Park Hill TAB. Help plan events and projects, talk about your favorite books, music, movies and make your opinion count. Plus snacks. Ideal for ages 13-18.
Concert on the Lawn: LAPOMPE | Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 p.m.
LAPOMPE is a Denver-based Hot-Club Jazz group that fuses eclectic American standards with French ballads, burning Django Reinhardt tunes, and soulful originals. By combining swinging vocals and high energy instrumentals they are keeping vintage jazz alive for a whole new generation. Bring your lawn chair or blanket for an outdoor concert.
Rocky Mountain Lace Guild | Saturday, May 18, 2:30 p.m.
Members of the Rocky Mountain Lace Guild will be making lace, discussing different lace-making techniques, displaying different laces and will let you give it a try.
Kids’ Book Club | Tuesday, May 21, 3:30 p.m.
Book: The Doodles of Sam Dibble by J. Press
Snack: Chocolate chip cookies! Craft; Decorate a pencil case. Ideal for ages 6 to 9.
Park Hill Community Tree Walk | Wednesday, May 22, 1 p.m.
Denver City Forester Rob Davis loves trees! Rob will share his knowledge and passion for Denver’s trees as we walk a three-mile loop from the library, around City Park, and back. Get to know your neighbors while you enjoy tree-mendous views.
The Conflict Center presents Identity, Power and Conflict | Wednesday, May 22, 6:30 p.m.
Understanding one’s own identity is key to understanding conflict across identities (e.g., race, gender, socio-economics etc.). This interactive session will explore how our own identity and our understanding of that identity impacts our perspectives and how we navigate conflict.
*Drop by and say “hi” to your friendly library staff at the Montview Preschool Carnival on Saturday, May 4!