Books on Prescription: Figures for Stratford-on-Avon District

Books on Prescription, a mental health service that is provided across Warwickshire is going from strength to strength.

The scheme, a partnership between NHS Warwickshire, IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), Warwickshire County Council Library and Information Service and Warwickshire's Community and Voluntary Sector offers additional help for people experiencing common mental health problems.

GPs and health professionals can prescribe recommended and clinically-proven self-help books or audio CDs on common emotional issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep and anger as an additional treatment option.   

They are available for anyone to browse and borrow at Stratford, Alcester, Shipston and Southam Libraries, and can be obtained via any library, mobile library or the Home Library Service across the District. 

The service has proved hugely popular with over 8, 500 books being loaned across Warwickshire, and over 1,400 books being loaned from libraries across Stratford District. By the end of 2010 library statistics indicated that eight of the top ten most loaned adult non-fiction books in Warwickshire libraries were from the Books on Prescription collection. 

One service user said: “I don't do the self-help stuff, but my goodness, I was really surprised at my reactions when reading the one with the smiley face on the cover about managing stress. I loved the graphics and the biodots and I am learning how to cope".

Cllr Bob Stevens portfolio holder for health with Warwickshire County Council said: “For many people suffering from mental health problems, a low self-esteem can exacerbate the condition.  However, this scheme enables people to help themselves, with the support of both their GP and libraries staff. I am pleased that we are using council resources and working with partners to provide an alternative which will benefit many people in Warwickshire."

Paula Mawson, health development manager at NHS Warwickshire, said: “Self-help books can be a useful tool to support people to develop skills to manage any concerns about their mental well-being. Most of the Books on Prescription titles are adaptations of well-established clinical treatments, using a step-by-step programme of exercises and self-assessments, and we are receiving positive feedback from people who have used the resources across Warwickshire."

For more information, visit the website - www.warwickshire.gov.uk/booksonprescription

For those seeking extra support with the Books on Prescription books the local Wellbeing Centre offers a welcoming place for people to phone or drop in for help and support.  In Stratford District the Wellbeing Centre is Springfield Wellbeing Exchange, MIND, 185 Drayton Avenue. Tel: 01789 298615.