Bradford on Avon Library is promoting a new Reading Well booklist which has been chosen to help people with mental health conditions, including a collection to support young people.
The collection of 37 titles have been carefully selected to support readers who are dealing with issues such as anger, depression, anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Memoirs, as well as books with information and advice about specific illnesses, feature in the selection.
The Reading Well for Mental Health booklist was launched in Wiltshire at Bradford on Avon Library on 6 June during its regular Wellbeing Wednesday event.
All the books are available from Wiltshire Libraries and the list will be available to view here. It replaces a similar collection which was launched in 2013.
Wiltshire Libraries promote four Reading Well collections. The others are dedicated to dementia, long term conditions and a collection to support young people’s mental health. Wiltshire GPs and health workers can recommend them to patients suffering from certain conditions in the ‘books on prescription’ scheme.
Health advice and support is also available at regular wellbeing drop-in sessions provided by health trainers at 17 libraries across Wiltshire.
John Thomson, cabinet member for libraries said: “We are fully behind the launch of this excellent list. I’m sure it will prove a huge benefit for many Wiltshire people who are seeking therapy, advice and inspiration as they deal with emotional and mental issues.
“If there is one common thread running through this diverse selection, it is the knowledge that no-one needs to struggle alone. Others have been there before you, and there is a wealth of experience and wisdom to draw on.”
Author Matt Haig, whose book How to Stay Alive is on the list, said: “Reading Well is an absolutely brilliant scheme that recognises the proven therapeutic power of words. It will help people facing mental struggles to feel understood, and to get help. This scheme will improve, and maybe even save, many lives.”
The Reading Well project is run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Society of Chief Librarians with funding from Arts Council England and Wellcome.