Collection Resources, Spaces, and More: CMU Libraries Supports the Mental Health Needs of All Students
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the CMU Libraries are dedicated to supporting students’ academic and personal well-being. This is especially important given that, according to a U.S. News and World Report survey (Mental Health at College: What to Know | Best Colleges | U.S. News), 70% of the 3,649 college students surveyed had experienced a mental health struggle since starting college. This same survey says that of those students, only 37% of them reached out to receive mental health support.
Given these points, we want to highlight the mental health support resources the library offers. The first resource is our Mental Health Awareness/Support booklist, a collection of twenty workbooks, personal accounts, and other support resources that can support patrons’ mental health needs. That collection can be found here. While not a substitute for professional help, this collection is there to support students who are hesitant to reach out.
Beyond books, CMU Libraries has a variety of other permanent mental health support resources in its “Study Break Zone” on the second floor. Items in this designated space include puzzles, coloring sheets, and collaborative and competitive board games. A much larger collection of board games can also be found in the library’s board games collection. According to a 2024 Psychology Today article (Word Puzzles and Board Games Boost Brain Health | Psychology Today ), puzzles, coloring, and both collaborative and competitive board games have been shown to not only improve brain functioning but also do things such as foster “...a focus on fun, laughter, and anxiety reduction.” Providing these resources year-round reflects the library’s ongoing commitment to student well-being.
One additional offering is the library’s periodic hosting of therapy dogs in collaboration with Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ADT). CMU Libraries has hosted therapy dogs and their owners at the library during midterms and finals for many years to help relieve students’ stress and foster a sense of wellness.
We hope that you all will be able to take advantage of these resources to better your own mental health. Best of luck during finals and have a happy summer!