NAMI - Homeless at the Library
San Diego Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
The NAMI partnership is a collaboration with the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency that strengthens the community by connecting patrons to mental health, housing and other social services. The center also provides space for homeless outreach workers to speak with patrons about barriers they are experiencing.
Challenge/Opportunity
The Central Library has experienced suicides, overdoses and other mental health related challenges. Our partnership with NAMI provides patrons at the Central Library access to information and resources such as medical and mental health referrals, including substance abuse addiction counseling and treatment, legal assistance, including identification obtainment, and referrals to emergency housing, food distribution and hygiene care.
Key Elements of Innovation
The NAMI collaboration is foundational to our holistic library service. The center provides outreach to library patrons, 18 and older, who request mental health, housing and social services. The Library serves a diverse cross section of economic backgrounds, racial/ethnic diversity, & an expansive population including new Americans and veterans. The Library is one of the most intersectional spaces in our community, bringing everyone together, while also holding space for those with the greatest diversity of needs.
Achieved Outcomes
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support center has served as a resource for the community, helped to de-escalate conflicts between library patrons, and modeled for library staff how to better engage with potentially challenging interactions with patrons. The NAMI support groups also provide coping strategies for participants and provide regular meeting space for the public.
