Libraries book in help for mental health patients
LIBRARIES across Rochdale have taken delivery of new mental health books.
It’s part of the Reading Well for mental health scheme.
Some 37 new books have been added to the shelves to support people with a range of mental health needs including coping with grief, anger, depression and anxiety. CounSara 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 their work to encourage residents to take steps to look after their health.
The books may be ‘prescribed’ by 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.