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Glow For Hope: Sparking Conversation on Mental Health

Linda Mitchell on the Mental Health Impact of Not Being Able to Read

Literacy, shame, access, and emotional well-being across generations

Hosts: Kelly Poelker & Delisa Richardson
Guest: Linda Mitchell
Category: Mental Health · Literacy · Community Wellness

Literacy is rarely part of mental health conversations — yet it shapes confidence, stress levels, independence, and a person’s sense of hope. In this episode, Glow For Hope hosts Kelly Poelker and Delisa Richardson sit down with Linda Mitchell, Founder and Executive Director of the Metro East Literacy Project (MELP), to explore the emotional toll of low literacy and why it often remains a hidden struggle.

Linda shares how low literacy can show up as shame, frustration, isolation, and chronic stress — especially for adults and seniors who have spent years masking their struggles to avoid embarrassment. She also reflects on her own upbringing, including the stark contrast between two grandmothers: one whose life was expansive because she could read, and one whose world became smaller because she could not.

This conversation highlights how literacy is deeply connected to agency, dignity, and emotional well-being — and why access to books, libraries, and stigma-free support can be life-changing across generations.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:58 — 60.2MB) | Embed

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What You’ll Learn

  • Why low literacy is a hidden but powerful factor in emotional well-being and mental health.
  • How shame and “faking it” affect adults who struggle to read.
  • The connection between literacy, independence, and navigating healthcare, finances, and daily life.
  • How generational cycles of low literacy develop — and how they can be disrupted.
  • Why safe, judgment-free learning environments are essential for progress.
  • How books in the home send powerful messages about value and possibility.
  • The role libraries, Little Free Libraries, and community access play in mental wellness.
  • How literacy can foster resilience, empathy, and a broader sense of hope.

Guest Spotlight: Linda Mitchell

Linda Mitchell is the Founder and Executive Director of the Metro East Literacy Project (MELP), a nonprofit dedicated to helping under-resourced families, adults, and seniors transform their lives through literacy. MELP provides free home libraries, one-on-one “kitchen table” tutoring, and community-based senior reading events that promote connection, dignity, and engagement.

Linda’s passion for literacy is deeply personal. Growing up with an illiterate grandmother shaped her understanding of how reading — or the lack of it — affects independence, confidence, and emotional health. Her work is rooted in the belief that literacy is not just an academic skill, but a pathway to agency and freedom of the mind.

Key Quotes

“When you can’t read, shame becomes a constant companion — and that affects your confidence, your independence, and your mental health.”
“Literacy isn’t just about reading words. It’s about agency, dignity, and believing your life can be bigger.”
“People spend years pretending they can read — and carrying the stress, frustration, and isolation that comes with it.”
“Being able to read expands your world. Without it, your world can become very small.”

Resources & Next Steps

  • Learn more about Metro East Literacy Project:
  • Take action locally: Donate books, support libraries, or volunteer with literacy programs in your community.
  • Start a conversation: Share this episode with someone you trust and talk about how literacy — or access to it — has shaped your own life.
  • Visit Glow For Hope: Explore more conversations, resources, and upcoming events on the Glow For Hope website.

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Crisis Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling, you are not alone — help is available.

  • United States: Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
  • Emergency: Call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
  • Outside the U.S.: Visit findahelpline.com.

Disclaimer

The conversations shared on Glow For Hope are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional mental health care.

 

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