Mental health resources library: a consumer guide to the literature

The influx of consumer literature about schizophrenia and other mental disorders has inspired the establishment of a Mental Health Resources Library at a psychiatric hospital. Used by patients, their families and friends, and hospital staff, it is an educative resource to understand and cope better with mental illness and its treatment, human development issues, and concerns of daily living. In describing the Mental Health Resources Library, this paper provides a background of its funding and organization, reactions of the library users, and future directions for expansion and utilization. An annotated list of volumes in the library is included.