Children’s mental health books available across Rochdale

Libraries across the borough of Rochdale have new mental health and wellbeing books on offer for children as part of the Reading Well for children scheme.

The books are free to use and provide support for children aged 7-11 on a range of issues including grief, anxiety, bullying and staying safe online.

The booklist offers a wide range of reading levels to support less confident readers, and encourages children to read together with their siblings and carers.

The latest addition to the Reading Well scheme, which was previously called books on prescription, has provided 33 new books across each of the borough’s 16 libraries.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Our borough’s children’s mental health service is recognised as one of the best in the country and it’s excellent that this level of support is there when it’s needed. But, it’s important that all children can benefit from a little support when they need it which these books will provide. I’d encourage families to visit their local library and explore this new range of books so that we can all be supported to better mental health.”

Rochdale Borough Council has funded the new batch of books which also looks at living with conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and dyslexia.

 

 

Residents are already benefiting from the Reading Well scheme as thousands of books have been borrowed from libraries in the borough since the scheme launched in 2013.

The borough’s libraries stock Reading Well scheme books for adults with mental health, dementia and long term conditions. All 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.

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a source of information, as searching the internet for details of conditions and treatments can lead to incorrect or out-of-date information and can often make worries worse.

Children’s Champion for the borough, Erin Buckley from St Mary’s RC Primary School Littleborough, will be promoting these important new resources to all primary schools in the borough as she is passionate about reading and supporting the mental health of young people.

Books can be borrowed by anyone from any library. 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

To access children’s mental health support and advice call #Thrive on 0161 716 2844 or visit:

• www.healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk