New mental health books available across Rochdale

Some of the books in the new collection in a library

Libraries across Rochdale have taken delivery of new mental health books as part of the Reading Well for mental health scheme.

The latest addition to the scheme, which was previously called books on prescription, has provided 37 new books across each of the borough’s 17 libraries.

The books support people with a range of mental health needs including coping with grief, anger, depression and anxiety.

Residents are already benefiting from Reading Well as thousands of books have been borrowed from Rochdale’s libraries since the scheme was launched in 2013. The most popular mental health titles are ‘How to Stop Worrying’ and ‘Overcoming Low Self-Esteem’.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “People across our borough are living with mental health conditions and this brilliant scheme provides a welcome and easily accessible avenue of support.

“I’m very pleased to see the mental health book collection growing and I encourage people to take advantage of them, both in our libraries and online.”

Andrea Fallon, director of public health at Rochdale Council, said: “Reading Well has been a successful scheme across our libraries for a number of years and serves as a vital tool for people who want to take measures to look after their health.

“Mental health can be a problem that people are reluctant to tackle but these books serve as a positive first step to understanding feelings and taking steps to cope.”

The council has funded the new batch of books as part of its work to encourage residents to take steps to look after their health.

Residents are encouraged to use the library books as a source of information, as searching the internet for details of conditions and treatments can lead to incorrect or out-of-date information and can often make people’s worries worse.

Rochdale Borough Libraries also stock Reading Well scheme books for people with dementia, long term conditions, and children, young people and families. All the recommended titles have been specially selected by a panel of health and social care professionals, in consultation with people who have lived experience of the conditions.

Books may be recommended by a health professional, like a GP or counsellor, but they can also be borrowed by anyone, from any library, without a prescription.  Several of the books are also available online as e-books and audiobooks. It is free to join any of the borough’s libraries, either in person at your preferred branch, or online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/libraries.

Anyone can access mental health support by contacting their GP or calling the mental health service Thinking Ahead on 01706 751 180.