Libraries, Health and Wellbeing
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Reading Well
Looking after our mental health is important for our wellbeing.
Reading Well gives practical information to help develop strategies to improve our overall health and wellbeing. The books are recommended by health professionals. Self-help books can be very effective when read on their own or when used with prescribed medication, counselling or therapy.
You can borrow the books via our Select and Collect service or from our eBook or eAudiobook collections.
There are 5 Reading Well schemes which Barnet libraries take part in:
Reading Well for children
A booklist to support children's mental health and wellbeing. Targeted at children in Key Stage 2 but with a range of reading levels. The books give advice about:
- maintaining good mental health and wellbeing
- managing feelings and worries
- navigating the world around you, including school and online
- dealing with bereavement and trauma
- support for living well with conditions including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Shelf Help for young people's mental health
Shelf Help is aimed at young people and those supporting their mental health. Chosen by young people and health experts to help with difficult feelings and experiences. The list includes fiction, memoirs and graphic novels.
Reading Well for mental health
Support for common mental health conditions for adults, including:
- anxiety and depression
- dealing with difficult feelings and experiences such as anger or bereavement.
Reading Well Books on Prescription for Dementia
Advice about dementia for all those affected by the condition including:
- living well after diagnosis
- advice for carers
- ideas for shared therapeutic activities.
Reading Well for long term conditions
This collection focuses on living well with a range of common long-term health conditions, including:
- diabetes
- arthritis
- breathing difficulties
- heart disease
- angina
- irritable bowel syndrome
- sleeping difficulties
- pain management.
Books are available across Barnet Libraries or can be reserved for free from our catalogue or in a library.
Mood-boosting Books
Mood-boosting Books is a collection of feel-good novels, poetry and non-fiction. All the books are recommended by readers and reading groups.
Mental health and wellbeing support
Find more advice and the details of support services available to help keep well.
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