Roots, Rhythms, and Resilience: Caribbean Libraries as Catalysts for Mental Health

Abstract

Mental health is a significant yet often unspoken challenge across the Caribbean, shaped by intergenerational trauma, colonial legacies, and cultural silence. This article positions libraries as essential community institutions that can promote resilience, healing, and social well-being while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Drawing on Caribbean library practice and regional psychological research, it presents a framework built around three interconnected themes: Roots, which explores cultural heritage as a source of identity, belonging, and healing; Rhythms, which highlights storytelling, bibliotherapy, and community engagement as pathways to connection, inclusion, and social cohesion; and Resilience, which focuses on safe spaces, crisis response, mental health literacy, and the ethical stewardship of sensitive psychological data. The findings demonstrate that libraries have considerable yet underutilised potential to decolonise collections, deliver culturally responsive resilience-building programmes, and protect mental health information through partnerships with regional organisations. By recognising libraries as trusted, community-centred institutions, this article calls for greater policy investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally responsive programming to strengthen psychological well-being, reduce inequalities, preserve cultural heritage, and foster a healthier, more resilient Caribbean.