Anythink Bennett Library: A Beacon of Hope for Mental Health Support in Rural Colorado
In the small town of Bennett, located 30 miles east of Denver, residents face significant challenges in accessing mental health resources. With no full-service medical or human services centers nearby, families often struggle to find the help they need, especially without reliable transportation.
However, Anythink Bennett Library is stepping in to fill this void. Collaborating with Adams County Public Health, the library supports families by assisting them with applications for benefits, food drives, and early childhood programs. Whitney Oakley, branch manager and mayor, emphasized, “Many can’t make the trip to Westminster, where services are located, so we help them navigate applications and connect to needed resources.”
The library’s role extends beyond administrative support; it offers a crucial emotional outlet for the community. “People just want somebody to talk to,” Oakley noted, as many seek a compassionate ear during times of distress.
Young individuals in Bennett face their own unique issues, often lacking stable home environments. The library aims to model healthy adult behavior and provides a safe haven for youth to learn social skills and feel heard. Staff offer resources like suicide hotline numbers and job training programs, ensuring teens have access to critical support.
Community and Behavioral Health Manager Natalee Salcedo stresses the library’s importance as a “third space” where youth can feel safe. Through the Teen Advisory Board, local teens have a voice in shaping library programs, discover new interests, and foster friendships, highlighting the library’s essential role in community mental health.
While Anythink Bennett does not replace professional mental health services, it offers stigma-free support in a welcoming environment. The library exemplifies the need for coordinated investment in behavioral health infrastructure, proving that community resilience can thrive through collaborative efforts across various sectors.
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Photo credit denvergazette.com
