Libraries Emerging as Trusted Hubs for Mental Health Support in Rural Central Texas  

Libraries, long recognized as trusted, accessible community hubs, are proving to be vital spaces for mental health support – particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited. A new report from RAND highlights the promise of Libraries for Health, a pilot initiative envisioned and funded by St. David’s Foundation, which placed peer mental health specialists and wellness programming in 10 rural libraries across Central Texas.   

Over three years, these libraries – in partnership with the implementation partner, Via Hope, provided training and supervising for the peer specialists – became not only information centers but also connection points offering welcoming, stigma-free environments for learning, healing, and support. Researchers found the program gained acceptance from both library staff and library patrons, supported the libraries to expand their reach and deepen engagement and, importantly, met the communities where they were.  

“Using a trusted community institution to provide mental health information and resources was embraced by both library users and the wider community,” said Lynsay Ayer, the report’s lead author and a senior behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. “This model may be a useful guide for other communities wanting to improve access to mental health support.” 

RAND’s report showed strong support from both library patrons and staff who described their local libraries as the “perfect setting,” a “safe place,” and a “great, great option” for mental health resources. While the study did not measure individual health outcomes, the program’s success was reflected in high engagement and growing demand.  

Behind the innovation was a philanthropic vision grounded in deep listening and research, particularly from those who historically have experienced the greatest barriers to care. St. David’s Foundation developed the initiative in response to data from Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs), regional behavioral health studies, and over 100 interviews and community conversations with rural leaders, residents, and library staff. These insights shaped not only the initiative’s design but also a Request for Proposals (RFP) process, inviting rural libraries to lead the way in developing tailored approaches for their communities.  

“This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when philanthropy dares to listen, to test, and to create space for flexible solutions rooted in and shaped by community,” said Abena Asante, Senior Program Officer at St. David’s Foundation. “We’re excited by the way Libraries for Health responds to real, growing need and addresses the inequities in access to care that we see across our region. And we are encouraged that this model may serve as a blueprint for other communities that seek to leverage a trusted community institution to offer mental health support.”  

While sustainability was expressed as a potential challenge moving forward, most libraries expressed a strong interest in continuing the work and leveraging insights gained from the pilot and accompanying research report to build partnerships with city or local government, agencies, or collaboratives.  

Along with the report evaluating Libraries for Health, RAND researchers have compiled a toolkit drawn from the effort to provide instructions and ideas to libraries that are interested in adopting mental health supports, aiming to build community capacity for mental health and well-being. 

Other authors of the report are Karen Christianson, Ivy Todd, Logan Dick, Amy L. Shearer, Yoselín Mayoral, Abigail Kessler and Rajeev Ramchand. 

The RAND Social and Economic Well-Being division seeks to actively improve the health, and social and economic well-being of populations and communities throughout the world. 

St. David’s Foundation is a community-focused and equity-driven organization supporting health and well-being in five Central Texas counties. 

Learn more about the Libraries for Health initiative here.