Join the Conversation on Mental Health with A Mother’s Reckoning

What is A Summer Read?

• Now in its seventh year, the Summer Read program is a partnership between WITF’s Transforming Health, Aligning Forces for Quality, and South Central Pennsylvania Libraries in nine counties. Every year, Summer Read partners choose a community health topic and book, which they promote throughout the summer. An author’s speaking event typically occurs in September to close the program.

What is the 2019 title?

• This year, the partners chose the book, A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy, by Sue Klebold, mother of Dylan Klebold, who was one of the two Columbine High School shooters. Summer Read partners chose the book because they recognized the need to raise awareness about mental health and the need for increased access to care and resources.

Why should we read this book?

• The book uses the tragedy at Columbine as a launching point to directly address mental health issues – including broader awareness of mental health needs, and greater resources to address them. Book discussions and related events will be planned for readers to meet and discuss the book. A speaking event with the author is planned for September 16 at a location to be determined.

Why choose such a difficult subject?

• We recognize that this book and author may be controversial to some, and we respect and welcome the views of all community stakeholders in these important issues. We believe mental health awareness is a pressing community health need, and we encourage our neighbors to help us break the stigma around mental health so that we can have these important conversations.

Our commitment:

• WITF’s Transforming Health, Aligning Forces for Quality, South Central Pennsylvania Libraries and Capital BlueCross believe strongly that health care should focus on the whole person – body, mind and spirit. Through Philhaven, WellSpan works to promote healing, hope and wholeness through a comprehensive range of behavioral health services and programs offered at more than two dozen care locations across the region. Organizers believe conversations about pressing health issues, including mental health, can help create and sustain healthy Central Pennsylvania communities. That is why we partner to present the Summer Read program.

Discussion Questions – A Mother’s Reckoning

30 winners will be chosen to meet the author and receive an autographed book from readers who fill out the survey.

Download the Survey:  2019 Survey A Mother’s Reckoning

When completed, please give your survey to the Librarian at your Local Library who will enter your information on transforming health.org site to be eligible for the August 31 drawing.

For more information, visit:
http://www.transforminghealth.org/stories/2019/06/summer-read-launches-conversation-on-mental-health-with-a-mothers-reckoning.php