So today I had one of those very disturbing reference questions. A young lady in her 20s came in and asked for books on depression and anxiety. Not an unusual request, so I took her to the section, showed her a couple, and left her to browse. A few minutes later she came back, asking for books on control in relationships. Found her a couple, then also got her some codependency books and "healthy relationship" books. She thanked me profusely and went to check some of them out.
Something about her attitude and her demeanour made me think, though. So I quickly looked up the number for the local women's crisis group, which I know runs a shelter but also has group support, therapists, and the like. After she checked out her books, I quietly gave her the paper and said that if she was having problems they could help out. She asked if it was free (yes) and said she really, really needed to talk to someone and almost started crying.
While it is great to be able to help someone in this situation, it also feels crappy that they are in it, and unable to ask for what they really want. It brings back memories of too many times answering the first question of the day where someone needs the shelter, and have obviously been outside most of the night.
At least there is somewhere we can refer people. And yes, we will call for them and arrange for people to be picked up.
