Princeton Public Library is launching a series of events and activities in support of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign focusing on the mental wellness of families, children, and individuals of all ages in Princeton.
Anchoring the initiative is a book discussion series beginning Wednesday, September 21, at 11 a.m., when the acclaimed “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” by psychotherapist Lori Gottleib will be discussed. The discussion will be held on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting, or in the Community Room. A virtual discussion of the book will take place at 7 p.m. via Google Meet. Registration through the library’s events calendar is required.
Mayor Mark Freda will join the discussions, which will be led by a library staff member and a local community leader proficient in the field. The September 21 discussion will be led by Janie Hermann, the library’s adult programming manager, and Dave Errickson, executive director of Corner House Behavioral Health.
“This series builds on the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign initiative our Health Department staff started last year to combat social isolation in Princeton,” said Freda. “With help from the Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton Senior Resource Center, we facilitated community connections through art and gardening. I’m pleased that, with help from the library and other local partners this fall, we will continue to engage residents through discussions of books that focus on mental health and shared human experiences. I encourage everyone to read along with us and join in the discussions.”
The second book discussion of the series takes place Thursday, November 17, at 7 p.m. when “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World,” by Dr. Vivek Murthy will be discussed both in person and virtually. Whitney Ross, executive director of Trinity Counseling, will join library staff in leading the discussion. Registration through the library’s events calendar is required.
Book discussions will be held every other month extending into 2023, and related activities will take place during months when discussions are not held.
Related activities include a kick-off story time event, “Mindful Moments Storytime,” on Saturday, September 10, at Community Park North/Pettoranello Gardens. Intended for children ages 3-8 and their families, books, songs, rhymes, and activities focusing on various aspects of mindfulness and nature will be featured.
A workshop where teens and adults can make a diffuser lava bead bracelet will take place Saturday, October 22, at 1:30 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Space is limited and registration is required.
The Virtual Storyroom on the PrincetonPL YouTube channel will feature special edition Storytime Shorts focusing on mental wellness and emotional literacy for young children and their families beginning Thursday, September 15, when “Hurry Up! A Book About Slowing Down” by Kate Dopirak will be featured. Additional releases include “When Sadness is at Your Door” by Eva Eland on Thursday, October 13, and “Allie All Along,” on Thursday, November 10.
Updates on Mayor’s Wellness Campaign events and additional mental wellness resources, can be found at princetonlibrary.org/wellness.
The Mayor’s Wellness Campaign is a program of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Mayor Mark Freda will participate in book discussions hosted by Princeton Public Library as part of the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign.,
