TPL partners with Gerstein Crisis Centre to bring crisis support services to 12 library branches
Innovative service responds to growing demand for crisis intervention and wellness and recovery supports in Toronto
Toronto Public Library (TPL) is expanding its social and crisis support services to 12 library branches, building on a pilot program that successfully served more than 4,200 individuals over 18 months. The program brings Gerstein Crisis Centre workers directly into neighbourhood library branches, offering TPL customers free crisis support and wellness programs in a welcoming and judgment-free environment. This initiative is part of TPL’s Social & Crisis Support Services and responds to a growing need for these services in Toronto.
“Through our partnership with Gerstein Crisis Centre, we’re making it easier for our customers to access the mental health and crisis support services they need,” said Pam Ryan, TPL’s Director of Service Development & Innovation. “By working together, we’re bringing these services to a familiar, welcoming space and reaching people who might otherwise go without support.”
Crisis support services
Crisis workers from Gerstein Crisis Centre are available on-site at select library branches to provide immediate, short-term support and referrals and to connect individuals with longer-term help, including:
- Short-term crisis counselling
- Mental health supports
- Primary care services
- Housing workers and supports
- Addiction resources
- Financial and employment supports
- Wellness and recovery programs
No appointment is needed. This is a free, drop-in service available to anyone seeking help or guidance.
Community impact
The pilot program, which ran from July 2023 to December 2024, delivered significant outcomes:
- More than 4,200 individuals accessed the crisis support service
- Crisis workers conducted over 4,715 crisis interventions and made 940 outbound referrals
- Wellness program participation exceeded 8,400 attendees
- 97% of respondents indicated they would recommend the service to others
Personal stories
One library customer had struggled with homelessness and addiction since his teenage years. After seeing a Gerstein-led Wellness and Recovery Action Plan program advertised in his local branch, he joined the program with the goals of staying sober and reconnecting with his young child. Despite facing anxiety and personal challenges, he successfully completed the program and recently accepted a job offer as a peer facilitator at a local non-profit. He had his first supervised visit with his child last month and will begin training to be a wellness program facilitator at TPL.
At Toronto Reference Library, Gerstein Crisis Centre staff connected with a TPL customer who disclosed she had recently experienced an assault. With support from crisis workers and an on-site nurse, she developed a crisis plan that included medical attention at a hospital and ongoing mental health support. She later shared that the library was the last place she expected to find crisis support, but the safe environment made her comfortable enough to seek the care she needed.
A group of six homeless refugees connected with Gerstein staff at their local library. Gerstein staff were able to get them housed via Red Cross and connected them to library settlement worker who also provides services at that branch. The group has expressed deep gratitude for the support they received.
“Gerstein Crisis Centre and Toronto Public Library’s collaboration demonstrates how, working together, we can connect people to the supports they need wherever they are seeking support and safety,” said Susan Davis, Executive Director, Gerstein Crisis Centre. “Most importantly, initiatives like this strengthen communities to be caring and inclusive, which contributes to the foundation we all need to be well.”
Funding
We are grateful to the generous donors, BMO, the Lewitt Family Foundation and the Maytree Foundation, who are supporting this important initiative that is providing access and connection to social service and mental health supports to address challenges faced by our city’s most vulnerable residents.
About Toronto Public Library
Toronto Public Library is one of the world’s biggest and busiest public library systems, with nearly 45 million annual visits to our branches and online. We empower Torontonians to thrive in the digital age and knowledge economy through easy access to technology, lifelong learning, and diverse cultural and leisure experiences, where, when and how our customers need us. To learn more, visit our website, email Answerline, subscribe to our eNewsletter or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
About Gerstein Crisis Centre
Established in Toronto in 1989, Gerstein Crisis Centre has provided a range of community based 24-hour crisis response and intervention services to people across the City of Toronto who are living with mental health and addiction issues. As an accessible source of support and recovery for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, Gerstein Centre works collaboratively to improve timely and equitable access to services and provides safe, compassionate and respectful responses that are guided by the voices of those with lived experience, to promote wellness, recovery, and strong networks of support. For more information, visit www.gersteincentre.com.
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