Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood is home to the Henry E. Legler Library, which has recently started offering mental health services to the community. The area has experienced disinvestment and high crime rates, making it crucial to provide support and resources to residents. Originally opened in 1920, the library now serves as a safe space where locals can seek help and feel heard.
The library offers a unique opportunity for mental health services as it provides easy accessibility for people in their own community. Jordan Henderson, a licensed counselor with the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds counseling sessions once a week in the library’s study room. He is available for appointments every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcoming both walk-ins and referrals.
Henderson acknowledges that the West Garfield Park community has experienced a lot of trauma and believes that providing mental health services in a library setting can help individuals heal and process their emotions. Since starting his sessions at Legler Library about a month ago, Henderson has already seen around two dozen people. He believes there is a significant need for mental health services in the area, with more people likely to seek help if services were more widely available.
Access to services at the local library is considered crucial in addressing the cycle of violence in the community. Experts like Kelly Carroll from the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago highlight the importance of being able to easily connect with mental health resources without traditional appointment barriers or locations