LIBRARIES around Cheshire East including Middlewich Library have been celebrated for their help in supporting people with mental health issues.

The Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme was launched in June 2013 and has seen the number of self-help books being borrowed by people in Cheshire East more than double since then.

Cheshire East Council announced last week that their libraries issued 3,259 titles under the scheme between June 2013 and May 2014, which is a 62.5 per cent increase on the 1,223 titles loaned in the previous year.

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of care and health in the community, said: “It is really helpful to know that these resources, which have been fully accredited by the appropriate medical authorities, are available for free from public libraries.

“The scheme can support early intervention to improve mental health wellbeing as well as be offered alongside medication or other psychological interventions. 

“It can also offer support while people are waiting for treatment or following treatment.”

Cheshire East Council’s libraries service stocks a wide selection of titles ranging from overcoming depression, how to stop worrying and overcoming low self-esteem.

Evidence shows that self-help reading can benefit people with certain mental health conditions, around three-quarters of people surveyed said their book had helped them understand more about their condition and feel more confident about managing their symptoms.