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The Tucson Indian Center has launched its first book club, Mindful Pages, to spark conversations about mental health, healing, and cultural identity within the community.

“We wanted to start the book club because it also gives us something different at the Tucson Indian Center,” said Prevention and Education Specialist Alyssa Dreiling. “We wanted to start it up with mental health being the main focus just because mental health is forgotten about in some ways. Books give words on paper of how people feel.”

The club held its first meeting in August, discussing “Broken Home, Healed Nest” by Anthony Goulet and Pershlie “Perci” Ami.

Dreiling learned about the book after Goulet, who has worked in youth and suicide prevention for more than 30 years, reached out to the center to ask about sending copies for some of the staff.

“As soon as it came in, I started reading it, and it only took me about a day or so because it was so good,” Dreiling said. “We saw this as an opportunity to create this book club and have people read this book that shows suicide not so negative but shows it in a positive light.”

Club co-founder and Prevention and Education Specialist Halia Shirley said they also appreciated the cultural themes woven throughout the story.

The club’s second book, chosen by members, is “A Mind Spread Out on the Ground.”

Participants receive free copies of the selected titles, which are provided by the Tucson Indian Center to ensure cost is not a barrier to joining the club.

"It's a memoir about Alica Elliott, who is Mohawk and trying to figure out her native side, and trying to break away from the intergenerational trauma,” Dreiling said. “She talks about struggling with and suicide and mental health. She also tells her story of being a mom and how she had to deal with postpartum. It gives another perspective on somebody who's going through these things and bringing it to light in a book.”

For both of its leaders, the club is about more than reading: it’s about healing together.

“Mental health is just as important as physical health. It just kind of gives them a way to heal together, and read a book together,” Dreiling said. “We hope it gives them a way to heal together and read a book together.”

Shirley said she hopes the book club discussions will also encourage a different kind of connection.

“You also can't forget about the spiritual side,” she said. “That is what I really enjoyed about the book. It reminds people to not forget about that side of healing and taking care of themselves in that way.”

Mindful Pages meets at the Tucson Indian Center, 160 N. Stone Ave., every other Tuesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meetings are open to all community members.

Organizers say the program goes beyond reading, aiming to foster healing, mental wellness, and community support.

By creating a welcoming environment, Mindful Pages aims to give participants a space to openly discuss difficult topics and explore coping strategies, using books as a springboard for conversation.

“We're hoping to provide a safe space for these individuals to come,” Dreiling said. “It is a conversation starter, and then in the discussions we go over a range of topics like mental health, anxiety, depression, suicide, but we also talk about ways of coping. Reading can be a coping skill.”

McKenna Manzo is a graduate student at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at mckennamanzo@arizona.edu.

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