Londoners suffering mental health problems are to be offered books on prescription from their GPs thanks to a new scheme being trialled by Westminster Council.

From next month (October), people with illnesses such as mild depression, stress, anxiety, phobias and eating disorders, will be offered a "book prescription" by their doctor, which enables them to collect a specially recommended title from their local library.

Under the scheme, doctors can prescribe books if they feel a patient will benefit more from self-help advice than conventional drug based medication or as an addition to other treatment. The patient would then take the "prescription" to the library instead of the chemist.

Currently GPs can offer a range of help, including counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy and medication, but research shows that the addition of 'bibliotherapy', or the use of written materials such as leaflets and books, can further help patients to overcome emotional or psychological illness, with the advantage of having no side effects.

The scheme will initially be piloted for six months through three Westminster libraries in Victoria, Marylebone, and Maida Vale and if successful could be rolled out across all of the city's 12 lending libraries.

An approved list of 21 titles have been chosen for their quality by mental health professionals and include reads such as Overcoming Depression by Chris Williams, Managing Social Anxiety by Debra Hope, The Worry Cure by Robert Leahy and Overcoming Binge Eating by Christopher Fairburn.

Books can be borrowed for six weeks, and renewed on request. Borrower details and book loans will remain strictly confidential.

Cllr Ed Argar, Westminster's adult health boss, said: "Libraries play an essential role in the lives of residents, businesses and visitors in the heart of London through the provision of free resources that go beyond the traditional lending of books.

"I'm delighted that our libraries will now support book prescription services that could help to improve the health and well-being of our residents. However, it is important to stress that this scheme will be an addition to the current medical treatment available and as such should not be viewed as a replacement for sound medical advice."

The World Health Organisation estimates that one in four people will experience some level of emotional of psychological problems during their lives.

Dr Sam Rodgers, a GP at the Marven Medical Practice in Pimlico, central London, said: "I welcome the idea of books on prescription and have in the past actively encouraged some of my patients to either buy or borrow similar books.

"Books allow people to learn about their condition and understand that there are other people in the same situation. They also enable people to help themselves without the need for medications or regular clinic appointments.

"There is good evidence that this approach works with certain conditions, particularly anxiety or depression.”
 
Westminster council is working with NHS Westminster to provide the service.
 
Joe Hegarty, Chair of NHS Westminster, added: "We want to promote the therapeutic pleasures of reading to people who may not normally think of using literature to improve their state of well-being. Health professionals will work in close partnership with colleagues in social care to ensure we provide a holistic approach to supporting the health of our community, promoting and protecting good mental health for all Westminster residents."

The move builds on the wide-range of services that are already available across Westminster's libraries including CV building advice, literacy and numeracy sessions as well as resources to help people apply for jobs.

Westminster Council, which issued more than 2 million books last year, is currently rolling out an ambitious £3.5million programme of investment to modernise its libraries.

Source: Westminster Council

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