EBSCO Host offers database access

I struggle with anxiety. As long as I can remember, I have lived with an internal frenemy that I can’t push away. Once, when I was around 10 years old, I tried to form the words to tell my mom how I was feeling. She confused my “butterflies in my tummy” with “excitement” about an upcoming event. That wasn’t it. The experience led me to cope by attempting to understand where my disturbia was coming from.

The anxiety remained constant, but the seismic waves had to be addressed. The only way I knew how was to try to explain the elusive cause. I found, however, that pinning it on an arbitrary culprit caused more anxiety. It felt like a lie. I needed accurate information, not a placebo.

In college, I learned that anxiety doesn’t always have a cause – at least not one that can be attributed to a current situation. It can be a byproduct of a past experience, genetics, medication/substance misuse, medical conditions or a host of other underlying conditions. In any case, chronic anxiety is a disorder and it can’t be explained away. Becoming educated about my condition helped tremendously.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. The observance draws attention to the prevalence of mental health disorders, fighting stigma, finding/offering support, and advocating for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. It began in 1949, but this year, the timing couldn’t be better. After months of sheltering in place, many people are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions that they may not be prepared to address.

Mental health issues can range from mild depression to full-blown disorders. The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness at some time in their lives. One in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness. Chances are, most of us have some experience, with ourselves or someone we care about.

Mental Health Awareness Month has inspired many people to become educated about conditions they, their family, or their community faces. There is a plethora of information available on the internet, but a topic as serious as mental health should not be trusted to Google. There are numerous ways that your library can help.

EBSCO Host, in The Digital Library allows you to search multiple databases for white papers, full-text articles, and academic journals that publish data from reputable studies. Much of this is proprietary information and is not generally accessible on the internet. Some less academic, but equally reliable resources are: Consumer Health Complete, Issues and Controversies, and live better IDAHO, or search the Catalog for publications in our collection relating to this topic.

As with any health concern, you should consult a professional care provider for treatment. Conducting preliminary research can help you to form the words that will help your provider to understand your circumstance. Just empowering yourself with accurate information can help significantly.

For local support, information, and advocacy, contact NAMI Far North, the North Idaho chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness, at www.namifarnorth.org.

EVENTS AND UPDATES:

While The Library is closed, all gatherings are suspended. However, we have a full schedule of digital events for kids and teens on our website Events calendar. Check it out at www.ebonnerlibrary.org. And, StoryWalks™ are open! New titles have just been installed; at Dover City Park enjoy “Mousetronaut” by Mark Kelly and at McNearny Park in Ponderay, experience “Life on Mars” by Jon Agee.

Starting Monday, May 11, library materials can be returned at the Sandpoint and Clark Fork Library drop bins three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Curbside materials pick-up is now happening for patrons who reserved materials prior to the closure. Soon, you will be able to place reservations for materials for curbside pickup via our website! Visit our Updates page at ebonnerlibrary.org for changes to services as they happen.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.