Breaking Down Stigmas: Ways Academic Libraries Can Address Menstrual Insecurity

Period poverty, which is the lack of access to menstrual products, is a public health issue and impacts one in ten college students. Not having access to necessary products results in consequences like missing classes or job shifts and can also lead to an increase in depression and anxiety. However, despite this being a prominent issue on college campuses, there is little awareness and support offered to students experiencing this challenge. This column addresses why it is critical that more awareness is brought to this issue, why academic libraries should play an important role in addressing this issue and discuss different ways library administration can show support for this public health issue.