Books can offer readers a glimpse into another world through stories, and reading can be a stress-relieving activity that brings peace to people going through a difficult time. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Butler County is providing a structure for people to enjoy the benefits of reading through the creation of a new book club.

Donna Lamison, executive director of NAMI of Butler County, said the club aims to give people a structured environment to learn about mental illness and discuss it through the examination of different books.

“It’s using the lens of literature,” Lamison said. “It’s experience, it’s learning, it’s education. You can share and hear thoughts and stories that maybe you haven’t even thought of.” The first meeting of the book club is 7 p.m. Thursday and will take place virtually via Zoom. The first book up for discussion is “Hidden Valley Road” by Robert Kolker, a nonfiction book about a family’s struggle with schizophrenia.

The book, Lamison said, provides a look at how a family dealt with having multiple children diagnosed with schizophrenia. She expects it will make for good discussion on how mental health conditions affect people, which readers can also tie into their own experiences.

“It’s an easier way for folks to discuss mental illness,” Lamison said. “They’ll talk about people that have experienced this, what they learned and what we have learned from it.”

Lamison said the organization plans for the book club to meet the last Thursday every other month, with the potential to have more frequent meetings in the fall, depending on turnout and response.

Her hope is that the book club offers a more casual opportunity for people struggling with mental health to learn with others and share their feelings at their own pace. “We’re trying to offer more venues for folks to get together,” Lamison said. “We’re reaching out and letting people know we’re here for support, for education. You’re not alone.”

Meeting information for the club will be posted on NAMI’s website and Facebook page.