Books prescribed to people with mental health issues
by Rebecca Coxon
A ‘Books on prescription’ scheme is being offered to people in East Sussex to help them to cope with mental health issues.
The self-help books have been recommended by mental health practitioners to help people finding it difficult to cope or need advice on specific emotional or mental health problems.
Under the new scheme people being treated for issues such as depression, social anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Patients are given a ‘Books on prescription' recommendation slip by their GP, counsellor or mental health adviser which they can take to their local library to reserve the book free of charge.
The scheme also includes self-help books for with issues to do with self-esteem, bereavement and relationships.
The East Sussex County Council library service scheme is backed by health officials.
The East Sussex director of public health Dr Diana Grice said: 'Books on prescription is an effective way of helping people with common mental health problems to improve their health.'
The selection has been recommended by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team in East Sussex.
Tony Freebody, the lead member for community services at the council, said: 'These proven self-help books are available for everyone to borrow from their local library.'
'Books really can help – there is first class clinical evidence to show that books can be just as effective as other forms of therapy, with no side-effects.'
The East Sussex County Council library services suggest that individuals: ‘Try to set aside some time each day to work with your book. Having someone to work through it with you can help. Your local mental health service may be able to offer support.’
The adult self-help books that are available include:
Anger, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Bereavement, Childhood sexual abuse, Chronic fatigue, Chronic pain, Depression, Eating disorders, Gambling, Mood swings, Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), Panic, Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Relationships, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Social anxiety, Stress and Worry.
There is also a range of books and audiobooks that have been recommended by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in East Sussex, to support young people and families facing a range of mental health issues.
These include self-help books on issues such as Austism, Behaviour, Bullying, Confidence and self-esteem, Development, Divorce, Looked after children, Sadness, Sibling rivalry, Sleep and Worries and fears.
For more information about the East Sussex County Council Library Services and the self-help scheme visit: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/libraries/default.htm
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