Barnet Council introduces new book scheme

Barnet Council has introduced a new book scheme in order to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week. 

Titled Books on Prescription, the programme is aimed at people with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. As part of the project, GPs can prescribe patients books that are selected by health professionals, which act as self-help tools to persuade people to manage their general health.

It is being run by The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians in a bid to improve the range of books available for those with mental health issues.

Chairman of Barnet Council’s Childrens, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding committee councillor Reuben Thompstone said: “I am proud to see that our library service is bringing back this very worthwhile initiative. 

“The Books on Prescription project was very successful last year and I am told that it helped a lot of residents deal with mental health concerns and I hope that this year’s scheme helps even more.” 

All of these books will be available throughout the city’s libraries and they can be reserved if they are not available on the shelves. Patients can take their prescription to a Barnet library where they can loan titles they are searching for. 

Titles included on the list are 'Mind over Mood: How to Change the way you feel by Changing the way you think’ by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A Padesky, ‘Manage Your Stress for a Happier Life’ by Terry Looker. 

Those interested in the scheme are encouraged to email Catherine Lusted at the council or ring the office to gain a better idea of how the project works.

With the government now taking mental health far more seriously, schemes like Books On Prescription could soon emerge throughout the rest of the country to improve how people are educated in the field. 

Published 13th May, 2015

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